We all over the last several years have waited in traffic to cross this bridge to head North or South, well after this weekend those long waits may be finally over for us all.
The I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Improvements Project located in Brattleboro, Vermont includes the replacement of four bridges with two new bridges (Bridges 8 & 9). This Design/Build project is being designed by FIGG Bridge Engineers, Inc. and built by PCL Civil Constructors, Inc. for the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans).
Bridge 8 will carry the northbound and southbound lanes of I-91 over Upper Dummerston Road using NEXT Beams. Bridge 9 will be a new 3-span, 1,036-foot arching concrete bridge over the West River built utilizing balanced cantilever construction. Standing 100 feet above the scenic valley, the 515-foot main span forms an open gateway anchored by curving, cathedral piers. This postcard worthy bridge will feature viewing platforms for pedestrians, hikers and visitors at the base of each pier overlooking the West River and mountainous valley. True to its theme “A Bridge to Nature,” every detail of the uniquely-shaped superstructure, piers, viewing platforms, and the railings will be complementary of the natural landscape. The piers will feature Vermont inspired, stone-formed concrete that blends with the local environment. A Visual Quality Advisory Team consisting of VTrans, local Aesthetic Committee members and FIGG will select eco-friendly concrete stain colors, platform railing designs, and other aesthetic details.
The concrete cantilever construction process offers minimum impact when crossing busy Vermont Route 30, the West River, and popular West River Trail. Construction of the $60 million project began in the fall of 2013. Bridge completion is anticipated in Spring 2017 and project completion is anticipated in Fall 2017.
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BRATTLEBORO — Barring having a vehicle breakdown on the highway, Saturday might be the one and only time the public will ever get to walk on the Interstate 91 West River Bridge. From 1 to 4 p.m., Civil Constructors, Inc. and Figg Bridge Engineers, Inc. in conjunction with the Town of Brattleboro, are inviting the public to participate in guided walks across the 1,036-foot, three-span segmental bridge on March 4. During the walk, the community will have a chance to take pictures and ask questions about the bridge design and construction. Visitors will be able to access the bridge by parking at Brattleboro Union High School where school buses hired by the town of Brattleboro will be waiting to load passengers and depart for the bridge. The buses will drop passengers off at the south approach of the new bridge where representatives from the design-build team will meet the groups for a guided walk to the north end. The shuttle buses will be waiting on the north end for pick up and return to the high school. The first shuttle bus will depart from the high school at 1 p.m., and the last at 4 p.m. Buses will depart at 10 to 15 minute intervals and the round trip is expected to take approximately one hour. Access to the bridge is by bus only. No private vehicles will be permitted on the bridge.
