VTrans plans Toonerville Trail realignment; Selectboard presses for stronger safety protections

Vermont Agency of Transportation staff presented updated designs on July 20 that would abandon the Toonerville Trail underpass (Bridge 27) and reroute the trail to run alongside Charlestown Road/US‑5/VT‑11, introducing multiple at‑grade crossings at road intersections and ramps.

Adam Goudreau, VTrans project manager, described elements of the plan including at‑grade crosswalks, stop controls, mountable truck aprons and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to be maintained by the town under agreement. Design is advancing toward final plans by September, with an early work package in 2027 and main construction anticipated in 2028–2030.

Selectboard members and members of the public raised safety concerns about the number of highway and ramp crossings and asked VTrans to review additional protections, including potential RRFBs at the existing Route 11 crossing near the trailhead. VTrans told the board that major alternative routings would require a separate project but agreed to review the requested protections.

The board did not take formal action; members emphasized that any agreement requiring town maintenance of safety devices will need clear terms and budgetary implications, and that design choices should prioritize protecting trail users across several busy traffic conflict points.