Riverside Triangle Sidewalk Project

WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

In August of 2021, the Town was awarded a Bike and Pedestrian grant from the State of Vermont for design and construction of a the preferred alternative for sidewalk at Riverside that was chosen by the Selectboard on May 6, 2021. This will fund the design and construction of an approximately 1600 ft long, 5 ft wide concrete sidewalk along the eastern side of VT Route 15 from Jericho Market to Park Street. The estimated timeline for construction of the project is in 2025.

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

In 2020, the town received funding from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) to hire the engineering firm of Stantec for a sidewalk scoping study to close the network gaps around the Riverside village triangle. This project identified a preferred alternative for this important missing link along Vermont Route 15.The project area begins on the east side of Vermont Route 15, at the Jericho Market driveway and opposite Raceway Road, where an existing sidewalk to the south ends. It extends northward approximately 1600 feet and connects to the sidewalk on Park Street.

The final scoping report has been completed, including the preferred alternative and short term improvements such as crosswalks, pavement markings, and the need for Stormwater treatment. Additionally, conceptual cost estimates are included, identifying natural and cultural resource constraints, right of way, and utility conflicts. Click the image below to view the complete document.

WHY ARE WE UNDERTAKING THIS PROJECT?

Within the last few years, the former sawmill property (18+/- acres) in the designated Village Center of Riverside within the Town of Jericho has changed ownership and the property is targeted for mixed use development. More information about that development may be found, on the Riverside webpage. So far, the Jericho Market and the Union Bank have been constructed. Although 200 feet of sidewalk was constructed in front of the grocery store, there are no pedestrian facilities on the east side of Vermont Route 15 to the north.

Over the last 10 years, the Town has constructed sidewalks on the west side of Vermont Route 15 and crosswalks at Vermont Route 15 and River Road and one at Raceway Road and Vermont Route 15. The proposed extension of the sidewalk on the east side will complete the connections around the triangle, on both sides of Vermont Route 15 as well as expand connections to Mills River Park, Raceway Road, Browns River Middle School and the Deborah Rawson Library on River Road.

SCOPING STUDY INFORMATION

See below for details related to the December 15, 2020 Local Concerns meeting. The Purpose of the Local Concerns meeting was to obtain public input that will help define the Purpose and Need of the project as well as to begin the discussion on potential alternatives. See below for details regarding April 15 and May 6 meetings where alternatives were discussed and the preferred alternative was chosen.

Alternative 1, shown below was chosen