Final summer for downtown Middlebury construction

MIDDLEBURY | Middlebury's multi-year-long downtown bridge and rail construction project will wrap up later this year with upgraded infrastructure supporting both improved freight and new passenger rail service. Added to the work will be Lazarus Park, the community's newest "green" addition. The state's largest downtown construction project disrupted Main Street traffic and businesses, while in the midst of a pandemic, in 2020. But as both construction and pandemic are winding down, life and business-as-usual on Main Street are finally getting close to normal. Town officials are optimistic about a campaign underway to attract new business to vacant commercial sites along Main Street. By next year, many of the challenges facing the downtown area by both the construction and pandemic are expected to be in the rearview mirror. According to a June 25 e-mail report to town residents by Middlebury Project Community Liaison Jim Gish, the town's replacement of sections of sidewalk and curbs on Main Street was the focus this month. "As planned, Granite State Asphalt Paving, in a one-day blitz during Monday's high summer heat, installed all-new granite curbing from Merchants Row south to Bakery Lane and Mill Street as well as in front of the Community House and in a short section across the street on the Town Green," according to Gish. Gish noted that a concrete crew is working in tandem with Champlain Construction to pour new concrete sidewalks. Across the Battell Bridge new concrete curbing is added. "Champlain Construction expects to finish up and return Main Street to normal life next week. Until then, alternating lane traffic through the center of town will remain in effect during weekdays," Gish noted. Work continues on Middlebury's new Amtrak rail platform in the historic Marble Works. Amtrak passenger service will begin next year with access to New York City and Montreal, and points beyond. According to Gish's June 25 project update, an electrician was on-site at the abuilding rail platform to install a conduit needed to power new lamp posts, platform lighting, and numerous outlets on the platform. This week, Gish reported, "the Kubricky crew is expected to start tying rebar and forming up the platform itself." Work also continues on the downtown's new Lazarus Park with granite curbing added at the lower edge of the park. An ADA-compliant walkway is also being constructed. Plants for the mini park will be added this summer, according to Gish.

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Final summer for downtown Middlebury construction

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