The mission of Burlingtons Department of Public Works is to steward Burlingtons infrastructure and environment by delivering efficient, effective, and equitable public services. Along with our residents and community partners, we always strive to help keep Burlington a great place to live, work and recreate.
Recently, the near-record cold weather in late December and January followed by a spring-like thaw has contributed to the significant deterioration of sections of Pine Street - between Main and Home as well as segments of Colchester Avenue and Maple Street and other roads. These are vital residential, transportation and commercial corridors and we have deployed crews on multiple days, as weather has allowed, to fill some of the more significant potholes. We will continue to do so to create safer conditions. In the meantime, we continue to evaluate all remedial scenarios, factoring in weather, temperature and the right mix of material. Improving these roads is a priority of Public Works.
Background on Pine St and Future Infrastructure Improvements
Pine St was last paved nearly a decade ago, and while paving jobs may last up to 25 years, there are a variety of factors that can affect the lifecycle of a street. Paving techniques, available material, soil and drainage conditions, plowing and weather may all affect a roads condition over time. To take advantage of federal grant funding and relieve taxpayers of most of the expense, Pine St is scheduled to be repaved in conjunction with the Champlain Parkway project (in 1-2 years) occurring after significant upgrades to subsurface drinking water infrastructure this year.
Additionally, Colchester Ave (between Barrett St and Nash Pl) is scheduled to be repaved during the 2018 construction season after subsurface drinking water infrastructure upgrades; Maple St, between Battery St and Saint Paul St, is scheduled to be repaved this year and the segment between Saint Paul and Prospect St is scheduled for 2019.
This past construction season, as part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Plan and thanks to voter approved bonds in November 2016, was the first in which the City was able to expand its infrastructure reinvestment and also to systematically apply preventative maintenance remedies to many of its roads (and sidewalks). Over time, these once-in-a-generation reinvestment projects and preventative maintenance routines should lead to better performing and longer lasting infrastructure for us and future generations of Burlingtonians. Upcoming construction projects can be viewed here: www.burlingtonvt.gov/construction.
In the meantime, we will continue to pursue the best medium-term maintenance options for our roads and evaluate longer-term construction schedules, available resources and our workplan. We have also placed signage along Pine St advising drivers and bikers about the conditions and continue to monitor weather forecasts. If you encounter non-emergency maintenance concerns, we encourage you to report this on www.SeeClickFix.com monitored by the City Monday-Friday during business hours. As always, please travel safely.
If you have any questions please call 802-863-9094 and ask for Rob, Public Information Manager - or email me at RGoulding@burlingtonvt.gov. Have a great weekend!
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