CIRC Alternatives Task Force
PROJECT UPDATES
September 21, 2016 – VTrans has released the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway Right of Way & Mitigation Site Management Plan, intended to: Document VTrans’ intent for investments made in right of way acquisitions for the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway project, ensure the Agency is meeting all obligations associated with the land and easement acquisitions, and establish a process by which municipalities and other organizations may request use of the lands for appropriate purposes.
Since the Governor’s May 2011 announcement that the Circumferential Highway – as originally conceived – would not be built, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff have been busy coordinating with VTrans and the “CIRC Communities” (Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, and Williston). The Governor asked that the MPO coordinate a process to identify projects and planning activities which would aid in meeting the original Purpose and Need of the CIRC Highway Project, which broadly stated are mobility, congestion, transportation demand, safety, livability, and economic development.
To facilitate this process, a CIRC Alternatives Task Force was convened to include representatives from the CIRC Communities (including their CCRPC representative) and other key stakeholders (see the Task Force list ). For more information, contact Eleni Churchill, CCRPC Transportation Program Manager, at (802) 846-4490 x *11.
As of January 24, 2014:
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Final Report »
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Presentation to the Vermont House & Senate Transportation Committees »
SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON:
PROJECTS »
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & MEETINGS »
DOCUMENTS & MAPS »
IN THE NEWS »
MEMBERSHIP »
CONTACT »
HISTORY »
Projects
BIKE/PED SCOPING STUDIES
- VT 15 Multi-use Pathway (Old Stage Road to Essex Way), Essex »
- Bike/Ped Improvements VT2A (Blair Park to Industrial Ave), Williston »
- Bike/Ped Improvements Mountain View Road (VT2A to Old Stage Road), Williston »
- Bike/Ped Improvements US2 (Tafts Corners to Williston Village), Williston »
PARK & RIDE SCOPING STUDIES
ROADWAY & INTERSECTION SCOPING STUDIES
- Intersection/Bridge Approach Improvements VT117/North Williston Road, Essex »
- VT2A Scoping: Industrial Ave/Mountain View to James Brown Drive, Williston »
- Exit 12 Interchange & Grid Streets, Williston »
- Colchester Essex Network Transportation Study (CENTS), Colchester & Essex »
- VT 2A/VT289 Interchange – Phase II, Essex »
- Williston-Essex Network Transportation Study (WENTS) »
IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL FUNDING COMMITMENT OF $25M
- Exit 16 Improvements, Colchester »
- VT2A/James Brown Drive, Williston »
- Vermont 2A/289 Interchange – Phase I, Essex »
- Crescent Connector Road, Essex Junction »
- Severance Corners Improvements, Colchester
- VT15/Sand Hill Road Intersection, Essex »
- US2/Trader Lane, Williston
- TDM – Expand and promote Go! Chittenden County program, install new transit shelters, host bike commuter workshops, grow CATMA’s Employee Transportation Coordinator network, implement a transit pass program, analyze CarShare VT expansion and more
- VT 15 Multi-use Path (West Street to Exit 15), Essex Junction/Essex/Colchester/Winooski »
- Pearl Street/Post Office Square Intersection Improvements and Post Office Square to Five Corners Streetscape and Bike Improvements. Link to scoping study here.
Public Participation & Meetings
December 4, 2013, CCRPC
- Presentation to the CCRPC Board
December 3, 2013, CCRPC
- Transportation Advisory Committee Briefing
November 21, 2013, Williston Town Hall
- Agenda: Vote on Final CIRC Alternatives Project Recommendations »
- Intersection Projects Performance Comparisons » | Handout
- Draft CIRC Alternatives Implementation Program FY13-FY30 » | Handout
- Draft CIRC Alternatives Task Force Report » | Handout
- Final Phase III Project List » | Handout
- Meeting Notes » | Final
November 7, 2013, Williston Town Hall
October 30, 2013, Williston Town Hall
- Agenda: Phase III CIRC Alternatives Planning Studies’ Briefing #1 »
- Presentation »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
February 21, 2013 – Public Meeting
January 31, 2013 – Task Force Meeting
The following documents were presented/discussed at the meeting and/or revised:
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Schedule » | Revised Jan 13, 2013
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Meeting #10 Notes » | Final
- Phase III Planning Study List Rev 1 – Task Force » | Approved Jan 31, 2013
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force WENTS Summary Memo » | Final
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force WENTS Results & Recommendations Presentation »
- WENTS Steering Committee Meeting #7 Notes » | Final
November 29, 2012 – Task Force Meeting
The Task Force approved six projects, totaling $13.9 million in funding. Read the full funding request letter to Secretary of Transportation Brian Searles below.
- Funding Request Letter to Secretary of Transportation »
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Packet with Presentations »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Watch the Meeting online » | (Courtesy of CCTV)
- CIRC Alternative Task Force DRAFT Schedule 2012-2013 » | Revised 11/12/12
September 26, 2012 – Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Meeting #8 Agenda »
- CIRC Alternative Task Force DRAFT Schedule 2012-2013 »
- Industrial Lot Supply Presentation » | Frank Cioffi
February 23, 2012 – Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Agenda Item 6: Circ Alternatives Phase I Planning Studies »
- Agenda Item 7: Recommended Phase II Planning Studies for FY 2013 & Essex Town memo »
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force: Alternatives to the CIRC – Phase I & II Planning Study Implementation List »
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force: Phase 1 Report » | 19 Jan 2012
December 14, 2011 – Public Meeting
December 8, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Press Release on the CIRC Alternatives Projects » | 16 Nov 2011
- Project Recommendations for FY13 Capital Program » | Memo | 7 Nov 2011
- Meeting Handouts:
- Map of Circ Alternatives Priority Planning Projects » | Draft
- CIRC Task Force Schedule » | Draft | 19 Nov 2011
- Agenda Item 3: CIRC Project Recommendations Letter to Sec. Searles » | 30 Nov 2011 »
- Agenda Item 6: Phase 1 Planning Recommendations »
- Agenda Item 6: Phase 1 Scoping Project List » | 30 Nov 2011
- Agenda Item 8: Task Force Legislative Report » | Draft | 30 Nov 2011
- Agenda Item 9: Public Meeting Agenda for 14 Dec 2011 » | Draft
November 9, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Watch Video / Channel 17 Airtimes »
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Meeting Handouts:
- CIRC Task Force Schedule » | Draft | 31 Oct 2011
- Project Recommendations for FY13 Capital Program » | Memo | 7 Nov 2011
- Short Term Implementation Projects for FY13 Capital Program » | Package of Phase I Projects
- Alternatives to the Circ Implementation Project Descriptions & Expected Benefits » | 3 Nov 2011
October 20, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Watch Video » | Channel 17 Airtimes
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Meeting Handouts:
- Map of Predicted Change in 2010 PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes for Full Circumferential Highway » | Draft
(Please note that the second page of this map has tables of volume differences at I-89 Interchanges). - Planning Factors for the Alternatives to the CIRC Project Prioritization »
- CIRC Task Force Schedule » | Draft | 20 Oct 2011
- Alternatives to the CIRC Project Prioritization Methodology » | 3rd DRAFT
- Short-Term Alternative Projects List » | Draft | 19 Oct 2011
- Map of Predicted Change in 2010 PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes for Full Circumferential Highway » | Draft
August 25, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
August 11, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Watch Video » | Channel 17 Airtimes
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Final
- Presentation – ‘Alternatives to the Circ Project Prioritization’ »
- Meeting Handouts:
- CIRC Task Force Group Protocols » | Final
- CIRC Task Force Phase I Schedule » | Aug – Nov 2011
- CIRC Process Relationship Flowchart » | 11 Aug 2011
- Alternatives to the CIRC Project Prioritization Methodology » | 2nd Draft
- VTrans & CCRPC (MPO) Standard Prioritization Methodology » | 5 Aug 2011
July 28, 2011 – Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes » | Accepted by the Task Force | 11 Aug 2011
- Presentation – ‘Alternatives to the Circ Project Prioritization’ »
- Meeting Handouts:
December 14, 2011 – CIRC Alternatives Task Force Meeting
- Meeting Agenda »
- Meeting Notes »
- Presentation – ‘CIRC Alternatives Task Force’s recommendations’ » | 14 Dec 2011
- Press Release »
- Project Recommendations for FY13 Capital Program »
Documents & Maps
PROJECT-RELATED DOCUMENTS
- Funding Request Letter to Sec. Searles » | Nov. 30, 2012
- CIRC Alternatives Task Force Report » | January 2012
- 1986 CIRC EIS Purpose & Need Statement »
CIRC RESOURCES
CIRC STUDY AREA MAPS
- CIRC – A-B Study Area Map »
- CIRC Alternatives Projects – Regional Map »
- CIRC Alternative Projects – Colchester Map »
- CIRC Alternative Projects – Essex Map »
- CIRC Alternative Projects – Essex Junction Map »
- CIRC Alternative Projects – Williston Map »
- Map of CIRC Alternatives Phase 1 Implementation Priorities »
- Map of CIRC Alternatives Phase 1 Planning Projects (with 2010 AADT) »
- Map of Predicted Change in 2010 PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes for Full Circumferential Highway »
In the News
- CIRC Task Force Planning & Implementation Newsletter » | Dec 2013
- Governor Shumlin’s Press Conference » | 26 Nov 2013
- Governor’s Press Conference Posters » | 26 Nov 2013
- CIRC Task Force Planning & Implementation Newsletter » | July 2013
- CIRC Task Force Planning & Implementation Newsletter » | Feb 2013
- CIRC Alternatives Carry High Price Tag » | Williston Observer | 17 Jan 2013
- CIRC Task Force Planning & Implementation Newsletter » | June 2012
- Plans to improve traffic flow in Chittenden County » | WCAX | 14 Dec 2011
- Meeting on Circ Highway Alternatives set for Dec. 14 » | Burlington Free Press | 26 Nov 2011
- Rethinking the Circ: Task Force recommends smaller steps to ease traffic congestion » | Burlington Free Press | 18 Nov 2011
- Planners offer alternatives to Circumferential Highway » | WCAX | 17 Nov 2011
- CIRC Alternatives Forge Ahead – Conservation Law Foundation » | 17 Nov 2011
Membership
CIRC TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP
Williston:
- Terry Macaig, Selectboard Chair
- Rick McGuire, Town Manager
- Chris Roy, Primary RPC Representative
- Staff:
- Ken Belliveau
- Bruce Hoar
Essex:
- Linda Myers, Selectboard Chair
- Pat Scheidel, Town Manager
- Jeff Carr, Primary RPC Representative
- Staff:
- Dennis Lutz
- Trevor Lashua
Essex Junction:
- George Tyler, Village President
- Robin Pierce, Development Director
- John Lajza, Primary RPC Representative
Colchester:
- Nadine Scibek, Selectboard Chair
- Dawn Francis, Town Manager
- Marc Landry, Primary RPC Representative
- Staff:
- Bryan Osborne
- Lisa Riddle
VTrans:
- Brian Searles, Secretary
- Staff:
- Amy Bell, Planning Coordinator
- Ken Robie, CIRC Project Manager
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):
- Chris Jolly, Planning & Programming Engineer
Regional Transportation Partners:
- Meredith Birkett, CCTA Director of Planning & Marketing
- Chapin Spencer, Local Motion Executive Director
- Staff:
- Jason Van Driesche, Local Motion
Business Community:
- Tim Baechle, IBM
- Jeff Nick, Business Community Liaison
- Curt Carter, Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce/Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation
Environmental Community:
- Paul Bruhn, Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Brian Shupe, Vermont Natural Resources Council
- Chris Kilian, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)
- Staff:
- Sandy Levine, CLF
- Melissa Hoffer, CLF
State Agencies:
- Secretary Deb Markowitz, VT Agency of Natural Resources
- Commissioner Noelle MacKay, VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development
- Staff:
- Commissioner David Mears, VT ANR
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission:
- Michele Boomhower, Assistant/MPO Director (CIRC Process Contact Manager)
- Charlie Baker, Executive Director
- Jason Charest, Transportation Planning Engineer
- Eleni Churchill, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer
- Christine Forde, Senior Transportation Planner
- Peter Keating, Senior Transportation Planner
Consultants:
Process Coordination:
- Diane Meyerhoff, Third Sector Associates
Process Facilitation:
- Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord
Contact
For more information, please contact Eleni Churchill, CCRPC Transportation Program Manager, at (802) 846-4490 x *11.
History
The Chittenden County Circumferential Highway, known locally as ‘The Circ,’ was conceived 30 years ago as a 15.8-mile-long, limited access, two-lane/two-way highway with climbing lanes constructed on four lane right-of-way. Its purpose was to intercept and redistribute traffic among the arterial routes serving the Burlington area from the north and east, promoting efficient use of existing radial highway capacity. In 1982, Congress established the project with $50 million in demonstration funds. The project became the responsibility of the State of Vermont when the legislature accepted the highway as part of the State Highway system in 1986.
Plans for the proposed highway divided the road into 10 sections, Segments A-J. Environmental review and highway location planning was completed with the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement in August 1986. Initial design of the entire highway was completed and right-of-way was acquired between and including the Interstate 89 interchanges in Williston and Colchester.
The section in Essex (Segments C, D, E, and F) was completed. In October 1993, the Susie Wilson Road relocation and about 4 miles of highway between VT Routes 117 and 2A in Essex, opened to traffic as Vermont Route 289. Landscaping contracts for those sections of highway were completed in the fall of 1995, as well as a wetland mitigation construction project.
After litigation on the adequacy of the EIS and its 2003 Re-Evaluation, VTrans decided to undertake new environmental studies on the remaining portions of the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway. The improvements in Williston and Colchester are separate projects subject to their own environmental review.