By Aaron Rubin, Standard Correspondent
Plans for reconstruction of the Three Corners intersection in Hartland are moving forward starting next week. At Monday night’s meeting of the Hartland selectboard, planners revealed a design for the reconfiguration.
The $1.5 million infrastructure project is meant to restructure a three-way intersection in the center of town into a four-way stop. The project was approved by the Selectboard on Jan. 17, and the reconstruction, inspection, and testing of the new configuration will be handled by GPI Construction Inc.
Everett Hammond of Hammond Engineering and Rita Seto, senior planner with the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) presented visual design plans to the board for the intersection’s reconstruction and communications efforts that will be made to keep the town and its residents informed on the construction.
“I think it’s a momentous day that we are about to embark on — the start of the construction of the intersection project,” said Seto. “We’re pretty much on board and we have the contractor on board. We have the construction inspection team on board and we are pretty much ready to go.”
Seto said TRORC and Hammond have “variable message boards already placed along all three legs” of VT Route 12 to inform residents of work that is set to begin on June 12 — a one-week delay from the original projected start date of June 5.
At Monday’s meeting, Seto discussed the site control plan that was reviewed by the Vermont Transportation Agency (VTrans). She said the project will occur in four phases in accordance with the intersection’s newly outlined quadrants. Work will occur on a new green space that will also act as a “sub-lane… to help with traffic control and alternating traffic,” said Seto. That green space will also serve as the location where utility lines will be buried, according to Seto. The sub-lane will remain open for the duration of the project with traffic monitors assisting motorists in navigating the area.
“That’ll be the last piece to close up so that the new intersection will be completed so then they can work internally on landscaping and other new sidewalk pieces,” said Seto. She added that the town will pay for the utility work at the green space.
The new curbing and crosswalk setups at the intersection are intended to make “a much safer crossing environment for the village in a brand new green space for the community to enjoy” said Seto.
The Civil War Monument that stands at the intersection will need to be moved for the project, as approved by the historic preservation department of VTrans, which will have a representative present when the move occurs. Seto said that if any damage is done to the statue, it will be taken care of by GPI, who will take extra precautions to ensure the statue’s safety during the move.
“They will be required to take photos beforehand to document the existing conditions and then once they relocate it, they’ll take photos afterward to just kind of compare the images. They’re hoping it will be a very smooth move,” said Seto.
Construction will run on Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cones set up to divert traffic at the intersection will be cleared away in the evenings to resume two-way traffic until the following morning, said Seto.
“And obviously when they switch quadrants or phases, we will make sure to announce that and make sure [they announce] the new traffic pattern, depending on what that might be,” Seto added.
Hammond has reached out to “immediately impacted abutters in the area,” and will provide daily reports, said Seto. Weekly reports will also be sent to Finance Administrator and Interim Town Manager Martin Dole to post on the town’s website.
Seto added that reconstruction will not affect the hours and access to nearby buildings, such as the Hartland Public Library or nearby properties.
With reconstruction beginning next week, Seto said the project will be finished sometime in September. She added that she will maintain consistent communication with Dole, who will also be a point of contact for residents with any other questions.