Exit 14 Intermodal Intercept Facility

The Stakeholder Committee met on November 29, 2012. 
Next steps include: Presentation to So.Burlington City Council, the Burlington TEUC and another public meeting in mid/late January.  A selection of the preferred alternative expected in February with the final scoping study in April 2013.

The first public meeting for the proposed Exit 14 Intermodal Intercept Facility was held April 19, 2012 at the Sheraton.   Click here for the complete meeting video.

Locating an Intermodal Intercept parking facility has long been discussed in the vicinity of Exit 14. This location lies at the point of highest daily traffic in Chittenden County and the State.  It has the ability to serve bus transit as well as become a shuttle terminal for downtown Burlington, the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Champlain College, Burlington International Airport and other South Burlington commercial and retail businesses. The ability also exists, and is being evaluated, for accessing the parking facility directly from I-89, Exit 14 southbound Exit Ramp C.

An Intermodal facility is defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as a facility that serves all modes of transportation including regional transit (CCTA), shuttles (CATMA), motor vehicles, walking and biking. An Intercept parking facility is defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as a parking alternative to on-site locations within activity centers or the urban core. These facilities may capture outgoing as well as incoming activity center traffic and serve as a transfer point from car to shuttle or transit.

The site being considered is on the current footprint of the northern parking lot serving the Sheraton Conference Center. This parking lot is adjacent to the regional bike and pedestrian network and is currently land-leased from the University of Vermont.

CCRPC has contracted with Resource Systems Group (RSG) to conduct a scoping study evaluating the feasibility of constructing a new interstate off ramp and an Intermodal Intercept parking facility at Exit 14 in South Burlington. This study is being conducted in association with the Campus Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA), the cities of Burlington and South Burlington and the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA).

Scoping is a process that defines the purpose and the need of an undertaking, identifies adjacent resources and states the potential impacts on those resources. Scoping identifies safe and effective alternatives based on documented rationale that meet the stated purpose and need.  The scoping process results in the recommendation of a preferred alternative, which has local, regional and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) support.

Project Steering Committee

Project Stakeholders Group

For more information on the Exit 14 Intermodal Intercept Facility, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 802.660.4071 x13

Prospect St/ Pearl St/ Colchester Ave Intersection Study
The Prospect St/Pearl St/Colchester Ave Intersection Study builds on strategies proposed in the Colchester Avenue Corridor Study (2011) that developed a comprehensive plan for improving multimodal travel in this important corridor. One of the strategies proposed for this intersection is to consider realigning the South and North Prospect approaches to improve safety and accessibility for all users.

Project Website: click here.

Public Meeting 11/27/12 7:00-9:00PM
McClure Conference Room, Fletcher Allen Health Care
The public meeting will feature a presentation of transportation issues (traffic congestion, safety, pedestrian and bicycle travel) and possible alternatives to be analyzed. Information from this public meeting will be used to help better define the alternatives and plan for more efficient and safer travel at this intersection for all users.

Steering Committee Members

Charlene Wallace (Localmotion), Dave Keelty (Fletcher Allen), Linda Seavey & Lani Ravin (UVM), Sandy Thibault (CATMA), Meredith Birkett (CCTA), Nicole Losch & Guillermo Gomez (Burl DPW), Sharon Bushor (Burl City Council), Richard Hillyard, Wayne Senville, Peg Boyle Single (Ward 1 NPA)

Consultant Team
Dave Saladino, Project Manager, Resource Systems Group
Diane Meyerhoff, Third Sector Associates

CCRPC Project Manager
Eleni Churchill, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission

Steering Committee Meetings:
4/11/13, 6-730pm at CCRPC
12/6/12, 6-730pm at CCRPC

Circ Alternatives
  The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff have been busy coordinating with VTrans and the “CIRC Communities” (Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, and Williston). The Governor has asked that the MPO coordinate a process to identify projects and planning activities which would aid in meeting the original Purpose and Need of the CIRC Highway Project, which broadly stated are mobility, congestion, transportation demand, safety, livability, and economic development.

To facilitate this process a CIRC Alternatives Task Force will be convened to include representatives from the CIRC Communities (including their CCRPC representative) and other key stakeholders (see the Task Force list).  Click here for Circ Alternatives Website

Williston-Essex Network Transportation Study (WENTS)
The WENTS is one of the planning initiatives endorsed by the Circ Task Force to address multimodal transportation issues in major portions of Williston, Essex and Essex Junction area.
The final public meeting for this study was held on 2/5/13 at Williston Town Hall.

Click here for more info on this study.

Complete Streets in South Burlington  

Click here for 4/6/12 Burlington Free Press article.

Click here for further info and RSG's Feb 2012 report on this project.  Project area is Hinesburg Road to Kennedy Drive.

ECOS - Environment. Community. Opportunity. Sustainability
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ECOS PROJECT, WATCH THIS 2-MINUTE VIDEO
Chittenden County, Vermont is the recipient of a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, which supports more livable and sustainable communities. This is a once-in-a generation opportunity to have a broad community conversation about the future of our region. The process will take place over the course of 3 years, culminating with updates to the County's most important planning documents and implementation of local projects. This initiative will be guided by highly involved project partners, a large and diverse steering committee, state and local agencies, business leaders, non-profit agencies and the citizens of the region. Throughout the process, residents of Chittenden County will be invited to participate in events for developing the project. These events are the backbone of this project, providing first-hand the ideas and actions that will help shape the future of the region.

CATMA is pleased to be involved on the Transportation Subcommittee of the Long Range Planning Committee for ECOS.  For additional ECOS info, reports, news and events click here.  Thank you!

Burlington's new Climate Action Plan update charts the course for achieving the City's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both within City operations and across the community as a whole. The plan targets a goal of reducing GHG's to 20% below 2007 levels by the year 2020, and an 80% reduction by 2050.

The draft plan is available for review at www.burlingtonvt.gov/CAP/ and will ultimately be adopted as part of the City's Municipal Development Plan. The adoption process is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and provide feedback. The Burlington Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 10 at 7pm at City Hall to begin the approval and adoption process. Once approved by the Commission, the plan will move forward to City Council for more public discussion, review and final approval. More info about the City of Burlington's climate action work and the full Climate Action Plan Update can be found at http://burlingtonvt.gov/CAP/.  Please send any comments to Jon Adams-Kollitz, Interim CAP coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Burlington Legacy Action Plan is based on the input of hundreds of residents, was created as a beacon to guide Burlington’s economic growth, environmental and social health, and to ensure quality education for all. The Plan was organized and overseen by a diverse steering committee including members from the business, low-income, environment, academic, youth, and social service communities. The final plan, identifying what people value most about their city and what they want to preserve, reflects the input of thousands of people from all age groups and all parts of the city.

This common vision was defined through numerous open meetings, focus groups, and discussions. The result is an action plan shaped and prioritized by Burlington residents. Click here for more information on the City's Employee Commute Strategy.

Colchester Avenue Corridor

On September 28th, the Public Works Commission unanimously approved the 3-lane design with bike lanes and enhanced crosswalks.

Click here for Final Report of the Colchester Avenue Corridor Plan.

Colchester Avenue Complete Streets Demonstration Project

Click here for the Colchester Avenue Project Website for updates, meetings.
Governor Shumlin signs Complete Streets bill. Click here for more info.

Click here for the City of Burlington link on this project.

The Colchester Avenue Complete Streets Demonstration Project is part of the City's enhanced Street Paving Program. The City has been working with residents, planners, and engineers to address traffic issues on Colchester Avenue, most notably safety. The Demonstration Project will help to determine if a "complete streets" configuration will increase safety for all users. The Complete Streets concept is one that designs streets to enable safe access for all users. In the case of Colchester Avenue, the City is hoping to reduce weaving traffic which has contributed to sideswipe crashes.

Click here for CCTV show on "Road Diets" including the Colchester Avenue project.

Click here for CCTV video of Press Conference held September 2, 2010.

Click here to see how New York City strikes a better balance by providing more space for walking, biking, and transit with the Complete Street design.

Colchester Avenue Corridor History

In 2004 the Campus Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA) was approached by the Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) to facilitate and organize a Colchester Avenue Task Force to address the issues of the Colchester Avenue Corridor which kept arising at the NPA meetings. A Burlington City Council resolution formally established a Colchester Avenue Task Force which met over the period of two years, formed a vision and goals for the corridor and concluded with some specific short term recommendations ranging from installing new bike paths to cross walks and pedestrian signalization to enforcement issues. The Task Force also recognized that all recommendations and next steps for the Colchester Avenue Corridor require more detailed analysis and funding for both planning and construction of both short-term and long-term improvements. In addition, the Task Force asked that Colchester Avenue be examined more thoroughly during the city's transportation planning process. That plan offered one approach to managing traffic flow on the section of Colchester Avenue from Prospect Street to East Avenue, demonstrating how mobility needs may be met utilizing the existing pavement.
The Burlington Transportation Plan concluded with a recommendation that the Colchester Avenue corridor be included in the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization's (CCMPO) annual work program and that a comprehensive study based on a full understanding of the dynamics of transportation and all interacting influences within the corridor be undertaken.
In mid-November 2009, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for the Colchester Avenue Corridor. Click here for RFP.

New Sidewalk connecting Hill pedestrians to downtown
The Public Works Commission voted to approve the construction of a sidewalk from DeForest Heights to Cliff St. last night at a cost of $20,000 to the city.  This is a 60' section of sidewalk that will connect pedestrians from the hill section who are going to and from Edmunds school and downtown.  In a "mobility study" of the Cliff St. area, it was identified as an important connection in the sidewalk network to complete.  The intersection at Cliff and Willard is a dangerous one since there are sidewalks only on the west side and no crosswalk across Willard St.; when the new sidewalk section is built, a crosswalk across Willard St. on the south side of the intersection will be installed as well.

Public works staff designed two alternatives to choose from, one costing $20,000 and one costing $58,000.  Unfortunately the $20,000 choice meant that 5 parking spaces will be lost on the west side of Willard St.  Two residents on Willard St.  are very disappointed that they will be losing parking in front of their homes.

A big THANK YOU to Public Works staff, who did a great job of designing the alternatives and patiently worked through the public process to get this approved.  THANKS to Public Works commissioners who asked a lot of good questions and worked hard to balance concerns of both the general public and the affected neighbors. THANK YOU to residents and advocates who came out to support the project.

CCTA's Guide for future Growth
Use this link to download a copy of the Chittenden County Transportation Authority's Transit Development Plan, CCTA's Guide for Future Growth.

In support of two ongoing projects, CCTA has developed two online surveys to gather public feedback.
The first survey, which can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCTATDP, asks members of the public to offer comments on specific proposed future services to be included in CCTA's Transit Development Plan (5-10 year planning document). If you are interested in the development of public transportation services in Chittenden County, we encourage you to take the survey and let us know what services you believe are important.

The second survey, which can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WillistonCommuter, asks members of the public to select their preferred arrival and departure times for a future Williston Commuter route between downtown Burlington and Williston village. If you are interested in travel between Burlington and Williston village via Route 2/Williston Road, please take the survey and let us know what times would work best for you.

Thanks! Questions? Contact CCTA @ 864-CCTA.

Champlain Initiative

Affiliate Member - CATMA and City of Burlington Core Downtown Burlington District
The Pilot Program offers the City's core downtown employees an opportunity to participate in CATMA's Bike-Walk reward program, confidential carpool matching service, Emergency Ride Home program, monthly drawings, off-site parking (Gilbane lot on Lakeside Ave and 1193 North Avenue); commuter tabling events, which provides current transportation resources (CCTA Bus Map & Guides; Bike Maps; Walk Maps; coupons at local bicycle shops to purchase bike/pedestrian safety gear, and personal commuting assistance). 

CATMA has been conducting an annual fall Employee Transportation Surveys since 2000 and annual Student Transportation Surveys since 2003 at its member institutions (American Red Cross, Champlain College, Fletcher Allen Health Care, and University of Vermont).  In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilot Program, CATMA includes the City's downtown district in its Employee Survey with baseline data already in place from the Downtown Burlington 2007 Survey.