DATE: Friday, August 21, 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, 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.

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Intermittent traffic impacts at night, starting the evening of Sunday, August 23, through the morning of Friday, August 28, 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.

Daily, starting the morning of Monday, August 24, through the afternoon of Friday, August 28, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• 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.
• Single lane closure on alternating sides of U.S. 2/7 near Rathe 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: Intermittent nighttime work this week will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting the evening of Sunday, August 23, through the morning of Friday, August 28. Crews will be adjusting signs on U.S. 2/7 mounted overhead on the Interstate 89 (I-89) overpass bridges intermittently throughout the week. Mid-week, crews will prep, mill, and pave shim along U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive.

Daytime work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting the morning of Monday, August 24, through the afternoon of Friday, August 28. Early next week, curb installation and stamped concrete work will take place along both sides of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Throughout the week, crews will continue prepping sidewalk and East Coast Signals will be on site completing signal wiring work at the traffic signals for the Diverging Diamond Interchange between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Additionally, crews will continue widening U.S. 2/7 and slope configuration near Rathe Road.

Crews widen upper Mountain View Drive to accommodate future improvements, including an additional right-turn only lane and sidewalks along either side of the roadway.

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 continue installing pavement markings, remaining cobblestone pavers and tree plantings. New traffic signals will be installed at the Main Street and Spring Street intersection, and existing infrastructure will be removed. General cleanup and punch list work will take place throughout the project limits.   
• Traffic Impacts:
• Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM | Short mobile work zones with shoulder closures, lane shifts, on-street parking restrictions, and flagging along Main Street throughout the project limits.
• Monday – Wednesday, 7 AM – 7PM | For the remaining pavement marking installation within the project area, there is the potential for Main Street between Spring Street and Tigan Street to be reduced to a single-lane, allowing northbound traffic only. If implemented, southbound traffic will be detoured via Tigan Street and Weaver Street. Pavement marking installation may also require short temporary side road closures at intersecting side streets along Main Street between Maple Street and Tigan Street and a single-lane closure on Main Street between Tigan Street and Winooski/Colchester town line with alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers.
• Wednesday – Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM | Lane reductions and shifts at the Main Street and Spring Street intersection for all roadway approaches for traffic signal work. Intermittent, 10-minute traffic holds at the intersection for traffic signal pole installation and removal. Lane reduction and shift on Main Street in front of the Winooski Fire Department. Intermittent, 10-minute traffic hold on Main Street at the Fire Department for traffic signal pole installation and removal. Traffic officers will be present.
• 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