DATE: Friday, August 28, 2026

PROJECT UPDATE: Crew are working to construct the new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Exit 16, which will relieve traffic congestion and improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The new traffic pattern, which will cross traffic over to the left side of the road at the interchange, is anticipated to go into effect in mid-September.

Interesting in driving the DDI before it is constructed? The Exit 16 DDI Project Team is bringing the driving simulator to the Champlain Valley Fair, from August 28 – September 6. Come visit us, test drive the future Exit 16 interchange and ask questions. We will be located in the North Expo of the Robert E Miller Expo Centre.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Crews will be off site starting at noon on Friday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day. Crews will return Monday, September 7 at 7 p.m..

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Nightly, starting the evening of Sunday, August 30, through the morning of Friday, September 4, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise noted:

• Lane closures along alternating sides of U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7), between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive, with two-way traffic maintained through traffic shifts onto the open side of the roadway.
• Intermittent width reductions and traffic shifts on South Park Drive, the Interstate 89 (I-89) Ramps, and Mountain View Drive. Traffic will be maintained.

Daily, starting the morning of Monday, August 31, through noon on Friday, September 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Periodic outermost lane closures on either side of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained.
• Lane closure with alternating one-way traffic on U.S. 2/7 near Sunderland Woods Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

Motorists should slow down, use caution, and follow traffic control personnel's instructions and signage. In addition, motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan additional travel time or consider alternative routes.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Nighttime work this week will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting the evening of Sunday, August 30, through the morning of Friday, September 4. Crews will be milling the side road approach joints at the intersections of U.S. 2/7 and South Park Drive, the I-89 Ramps, and Mountain View Drive in preparation for paving. Crews will be paving mainline U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive and portions of South Park Drive, the I-89 Ramps, and Mountain View Drive throughout the week. Milling and paving activities are weather dependent.

Daytime work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting the morning of Monday, August 31, through noon on Friday, September 4. Crews will continue constructing sidewalk and stamped concrete and installing curb along both sides of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive and conducting repairs to the piers of the I-89 overpass bridges. East Coast Signals will be on site completing signal work at the traffic signals for the Diverging Diamond Interchange between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Additionally, crews will be prepping for future drainage work along U.S. 2/7 near Sunderland Woods Road.

Crews continue working to construct the new Diverging Diamond Interchange at Exit 16.

LOCATION: U.S. Routes 2/7 in Colchester starting at the Winooski town line and continuing north for 1.05 miles to Sunderland Woods Road.

PROJECT COMPLETION: Contract 1: Fall 2023 | Contract 2: Summer 2027

NEARBY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

City of Winooski Main Street Revitalization Project

• Project Area: Main Street in Winooski, between the railroad bridge near Maple Street and the Colchester town line near Checkerbay Carwash
• Next week: Crews will install sidewalk ramps at the Main Street and Spring Street intersection, weather permitting. In addition, crews will complete remaining brick and cobblestone paver installation. General cleanup and punch list work will continue throughout the project limits.    
• Traffic Impacts:
• Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM | Minor traffic impacts anticipated. There is potential for shoulder closures, lane shifts, on-street parking restrictions, and flagging along Main Street throughout the project limits.
• Monday – Wednesday, 7 AM to 7 PM | Lane reductions and shifts at the Main Street and Spring Street intersection for sidewalk work, with traffic maintained. Temporary sidewalk closures and pedestrian detour routes. 
• Project website
• Construction: Spring 2024 – Summer 2026

This video provides an overview of the Exit 16 DDI project, discusses the benefits of the Diverging Diamond Interchange design, and demonstrates how drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will navigate the new traffic pattern coming to Colchester, VT.

Watch now!

VTrans is committed to providing a comprehensive and robust communications and public outreach program as part of this project. 

The project website has been upgraded to include a translation feature with the ability to automatically translate website content into 11 languages. 

In addition, the website is now home to a translated materials tab which includes several frequently asked questions and answers that have been translated into 11 languages with help from trained interpreters and translators from AALV in Burlington, Vermont. 

View now!



CONTACT US:

Project Hotline: 802-595-4399

Project email address: info@Exit16DDI.vtransprojects.vermont.gov