Detour

[Chris Santee]

I have spoken with Bob Horr, Chair of the Fairfax Selectboard,
and we both have some concerns.

The upcoming detour, when "Bridge 10" is removed, is something we should think about.

How many people up Cambridge way commute to St. Albans to work & shop ?
They will all be taking a right on Fletcher Road and crossing the tiny one way bridge on Boissoneault Road.

How many people will be coming south ?

Will northbound traffic back up onto Fletcher Road ?
Will people coming from Fletcher be able to stop as they come down the hill ?

Should we put up signs for a:
Fletcher/Swamp/Woodward/Rood Mill/Cherrierville/Austin Road detour ?

Wil we have ample/any signage and caution lights, flagmen ?

I'm not going to travel any faster than ten miles per hour through this area.

And what about the covered bridge ?

Fire & Rescue ?
I have spoken with Chief Dean Potter and let me tell you, I sleep well knowing he's our fire chief.

Any accidents will have to be cleared immediately.

Please drive safely folks !

Anyone else have any thoughts or questions ?

I understand that Bob has contacted Carolyn Branagan who will be contacting VTrans Monday.
When I spoke with VTrans last week, their take was "the locals know best how to handle the town road detours".
Through Henry's site, we may have to prove them right.

[Margie]

Does anyone know if those of us on Maple Street /Hunt Street/School Street area will be able to get out thru Maple Street to go south?  Do I really have to do the huge detour to get to the post office?  I realize this might make an issue if LOTS of people try to use the covered bridge to avoid the detour, but it would be nice if a little leaway is given to those of us in the school vicinity of the village.  I would be more than happy to put some sort of sticker on my car to let the traffic people know I live 500 yards from the blinking yellow light. 

How long is this expected to take?  Thanks!

[Chris Santee]

We're in the same boat, neighbor, but I don't think we can be any different than anybody else.
Funeral's may have to go the other way too.

Should we make the covered bridge two way for the 28 day detour ?
We'll have a lot of school traffic headed to Steeple and beyond.

Lake Region will have a very long bus ride if they come to BFA Fairfax then.

[Chris Santee]

Margie, I noticed you said "to let the traffic people know".

At this time, there are no traffic people.
I called the Franklin County Sheriff to inform him of the bridge work.

[PotterFXFD]

 The Fire Department has been making plans for the closer for 2 years now. I have already been in brief discussions with both Westford and Cambridge Fire departments, asking for there help with calls on the South side of the bridge when it is closed. Once a firm date of closure is set I will once again talk to both Chiefs to make sure we are all clear for good coverage.

[mrome]

I believe Maple Street is designated one way through the covered briidge by local ordinance. I believe the Select Board has the authority to change that, although I do not know the process.

Margo

[Papi]

Chris writes:  "Should we put up signs for a:
Fletcher/Swamp/Woodward/Rood Mill/Cherrierville/Austin Road detour ?"

If signage is being considered wouldn't Fletcher/Swamp/Woodward/Buckhollow make more sense?  Rood Mill and a portion of Cherrierville are unpaved, narrow, etc.  I don't believe directing more traffic onto Rood/Cherrierville is wise.  The locals will use these roads anyway so why not have others directed onto Buckhollow instead even if it is a little longer....

[Chris Santee]

Great point. I agree.
Maybe skip Buck Hollow and use Huntville Road ?

[Shadylane08]

Usually Vtrans is very involved in jobs that are done on or around a state roadway.  They usually require a site visit to make sure the contractor, engineer, and state are all on the same page with such things as traffic control, pedestrian traffic, detours etc.  Usually these site visits are mandatory before work is suppose to begin so I'm sure alot of these questions have been addressed.