Waitsfield officials are asking the Vermont Agency of Transportation to address the aging Meadow Road Bridge before the state routes traffic over it during a planned bridge replacement project in neighboring Moretown.
The concern stems from VTrans' plans to replace the temporary Route 100B bridge over Dowsville Brook. The original bridge was damaged beyond repair during the July 2024 flooding and replaced with a temporary steel bridge. VTrans plans to construct a permanent replacement using accelerated bridge construction, with work expected in 2028 and 2029.
Current plans call for passenger vehicles and local traffic to detour along Meadow Road, North Road and Pony Farm Road while trucks follow a longer route using U.S. Route 2 and Route 100. The local detour would send traffic across Waitsfield's Meadow Road Bridge, which is in poor condition and currently posted at 8 tons.
DETOUR RAISES URGENCY
Town Administrator York Haverkamp told the select board he has already begun discussions with VTrans and wants to use the next several years to determine whether the agency can help the town address the bridge before detour traffic begins.
"We're having trouble keeping heavy vehicles off it as it is now," board member Fred Messner said. "If they route that, the heavy trucks are still going to use Meadow Road Bridge because it's so much shorter."
Haverkamp said one possibility is asking VTrans to provide a temporary bridge or otherwise participate in a solution if the town cannot complete a permanent replacement before construction begins.
"The question is: Is it possible we could have a bridge built before that? It's probably unlikely," Haverkamp said. "Is it possible that we can say now you basically have to give us a temporary bridge? I think that's a full scenario."
The state project gives the town time to prepare, Haverkamp said, but it also makes it important to begin working with VTrans now while options remain available.
BOARD DISCUSSES OPTIONS
Board members agreed the town has significant leverage because Waitsfield has the authority to close Meadow Road Bridge if safety concerns warrant such a move. Board member David Babbott Klein said closing the bridge would affect residents and farmers who rely on the crossing, but ultimately, the decision rests with the town. Board member Larissa Ursprung said she could not envision leaving the bridge open if VTrans attempted to route detour traffic across it.
"I don't see that being something that can happen safely," Ursprung said. "I don't think it would be responsible for us to leave the bridge open."
Chair Brian Shupe agreed it would be difficult to keep the bridge open only to local traffic if motorists ignored the official detour.
"2029 feels far away," Haverkamp said, "but this is enough time that the town and VTrans can come up with an arrangement."
The board agreed that Shupe and Messner will participate in future discussions with VTrans alongside Haverkamp.
NEIGHBORING TOWNS
Board members also supported involving neighboring Moretown in discussions with the state.
Ursprung suggested the issue be raised through an existing intertown transportation group, saying multiple communities would carry more weight in discussions with VTrans.
"I think we have a good basis for a productive conversation with VTrans about creative solutions," Ursprung said.
Haverkamp said he has already spoken with Moretown officials after hearing concerns from a farmer whose operation would be affected by the proposed detour. He said both communities may be able to identify improvements that would better accommodate agricultural vehicles while presenting a united position to the state.
Board members also noted that while VTrans intends trucks to use a longer detour via U.S. Route 2 and Route 100, drivers frequently choose shorter local routes, particularly during emergency detours, increasing concerns that heavy trucks could end up on the town bridge despite posted restrictions.
FEMA REIMBURSEMENT
The bridge discussion also included encouraging news on potential federal reimbursement tied to flood damage. Haverkamp said engineering consultant DuBois & King has completed an opinion of probable cost estimating that replacing the deck of the existing Meadow Road Bridge would cost $404,688.17. The estimate was prepared to support a Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement request related to storm damage, even though the town intends to replace the entire bridge rather than only the deck.
If FEMA approves the estimate, the town could receive reimbursement for 75% of the eligible cost. Haverkamp said FEMA has agreed in principle that the reimbursement could be applied toward construction of a future replacement bridge instead of repairs to the existing structure.
Shupe said the potential reimbursement could significantly reduce the town's future bridge costs and praised Haverkamp's work navigating FEMA's reimbursement process after years of discussions with the agency.
Haverkamp cautioned FEMA has not yet approved the reimbursement amount, but said securing the estimate represents an important step toward helping finance a new Meadow Road Bridge before VTrans begins routing detour traffic through Waitsfield.
