Route 128/Route104 Study & Recommendations

[Henry]

I have been referred to the following study regarding the changes recommended to the Route 128/Route 104 Intersection.  Quite the study if you would like to look at it, it is located at:

http://www.nrpcvt.com/VAOT%20Reports/route104and128.pdf

[Henry]

The part of the change being brought to the McNall Road Residents is:

Last Mondays meeting was to review a request from VTrans to start that reconfiguration by removing the small pull off access on McNall Road (right next to the corn) and make it a true 4 way intersection, The board has decided to poll the residents of McNall road to determine their thoughts and concerns on the proposed change.

[mirjo]

Is this really a necessity? Aren't there bridges in this state in need of repair--BEFORE they close down an entire town?? What about  the sad state of cell service and what that does for commerce? I just hate seeing $ spent on things that don't seem necessary, when so many other things are known to be. I KNOW there are roads out there that need repairs badly, desperately, yet $$ is spent on consulting firms to do "studies" that take FOREVER, god knows why??? And the information is now obsolete--the McNall field as depicted in the study has changed several times since those photos were taken! An entirely different football field was constructed, played on, since removed and corn replanted on the whole thing!

I don't know, 104/128 intersection isn't the greatest perhaps, but it also isn't the worst either. I just don't see the reason for tampering with it. It seems a better adjustment would be to move the  entrance of the Post Office mall more toward J&L, off the hill.

[MikeF9]

I agree with Lisa. How much money is going to be spent? Aren't there other projects that need to be done first?

Let's wait a minute and remember.
This is the state of Vermont.
How long have they been talking about replacing the bridge in the center of town? It was supposed to be done by now, and it hasn't. Maybe next year. Maybe not.
Route 104 was supposed to be paved. 10 years ago. It still hasn't. And all they're going to do is put more blacktop over the rutted stuff that's there, and two years later, it will be in the same shape it is now. They should scrape off three inches of stuff, smooth it out and lay new stuff.

And what about the old Ramsay's Garage? I thought the Union Bank was going to tear that down? It's still there. If it's going to remain, fix it up and put a business in there. Otherwise, tear it down and you can widen the intersection right there. Leave everything else the way it is.

Again, this is VTRANS. It will be 30-35 years before anything is done.

[msm]

Forum Dwellers,

I took a look a the plan and the documented options.  My immediate response,  nice presentation, nice drawings  BUT --- Are these changes really needed ?!?! especially given the current economic situation ?     Is there a really need ?  How many accidents have occurred there ?   Does the accident rate justify the major cost of this overhaul ?


I don't have any say in the matter,  but growing up at this intersection,  I don't see the need for any changes. ) Building entrances good be more efficient but this should be paid for my the various businesses in the area.  Bottomline. enforce the speed limit,  enforce  stopping at the various stop signs and you should be good go.   


And to go one step further, like Mike C., I would recommend getting the bridge replaced in the center of town !! or fix 104 .. Hopefully, someone with some common sense steps in and makes the right decision.

My Two Cents --- Mike M


 

[trussell]

I also agree that other projects need to be done before this... But wasn't this study done at the request of the Select Board?  I'm curious as to why they're interested in changing this intersection.

[cedarman]

I think if there are going to be any intersections changes, how about the state study changing the intersection of Rocky Ridge (Gokey) Rd and 104.   As many may remember, this was the sight of a fatal accident this past spring, along with multiple other accidents.  If the state wants to spend money on road upgrades and changes OTHER than paving a major highway that needs paving (and replacing a bridge - a job which is currently being bid by several contractors), they could spend the money chiseling out the stone ledge at 104/Rocky Ridge, and maybe even changing the grade at the top of the hill, or moving Rocky Ridge entrance closer to the top of the hill for greater safety.

Enforcing the speed limit would be a good idea too.

[Henry]

Somewhere I read and thought I posted here on the forum that there was about twelve miles or so of Route 104 in the town of Fairfax that was to be paved.  I think it was from The St. Albans Town Line to The Cambridge Town Line.  Tried to use my search on the forum, but didn't use the right words I guess.  One of the forum members also sent me a note and it going to try to check it out also.