Vermont’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is improving the roadway along the U.S. Routes 2/7 (U.S. 2/7) corridor, in the vicinity of Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 16, to enhance mobility and safety in Colchester, Vermont. The project area extends from the Colchester-Winooski town line north for approximately 1 mile to just beyond the intersection of Sunderland Woods Road at U.S. 2/7. The core of the project is to reconfigure the existing tight diamond interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-89 Exit 16.
Project Updates
Weekly Construction Update - Friday, October 3, 2025
DATE: Friday, October 3, 2025
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Exit 16 DDI Project will be conducting drilling and blasting activities to remove hard rock and ledge below the surface of the ground that cannot be removed using mechanical methods starting this month and continuing through November. Drilling activities are anticipated to begin on Monday, October 6, in preparation for daily blasting that is anticipated to begin on Wednesday, October 15. This schedule is subject to change based on weather and the contractor’s schedule. Blasting will take place along U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7) and along Mountain View Drive east of the CVS Pharmacy and Shaws’ driveways within the project limits. Up to two blasting events will take place a day and will be restricted to weekdays and daytime hours. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks. To learn more about drilling and blasting activities, click here.
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Monday, October 6, through Friday, October 10, between 6 AM and 3 PM, lane shifts on Lower Mountain View Drive will be in effect with traffic maintained. Lane width reductions may be in place along the Interstate 89 (I-89) southbound on-ramp. The on-ramp will remain open. U.S. 2/7 between Mountain View Drive and the I-89 northbound on-ramp, near the CVS Pharmacy, will be under lane closures and lane reductions.
Motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan ahead, leaving plenty of additional time to get to and from your destination. Whenever possible, consider alternate routes or other forms of transportation such as carpooling, ridesharing, transit, biking, or walking. Drivers should slow down, use caution, and follow flaggers and road signs.
In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, crews will be working outside of the roadway on Monday, October 13.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Early next week, independent utility work will take place along Lower Mountain View Drive, followed by drainage infrastructure installation mid-week. Additional drainage work will take place on the dry ponds being constructed on the east side of U.S. 2/7 near the I-89 southbound on-ramp and just north of Hercules Drive. Throughout the week, Maine Drilling and Blasting will be on-site drilling along U.S. 2/7 between Mountain View Drive and the I-89 northbound on-ramp, near the CVS Pharmacy, in preparation for blasting activities that are anticipated to begin Wednesday, October 15.
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Weekly Construction Update - Friday, September 26, 2025
DATE: Friday, September 26, 2025
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Exit 16 DDI Project will be conducting drilling and blasting activities (blasting) to remove hard rock and ledge below the surface of the ground that cannot be removed using mechanical methods. Blasting is anticipated to begin the week of October 13. The start of blasting activities is dependent on both weather and the contractor’s schedule. Blasting will take place along U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7) within the project limits. Up to two blasting events will take place a day and will be restricted to weekdays and daytime hours. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks. For additional information, click here to learn more.
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Monday, September 29, through Friday, October 3, between 6 AM and 3 PM, lane shifts on Lower Mountain View Drive will be in effect with traffic maintained. Lane width reductions may be in place along the Interstate 89 (I-89) northbound off-ramp. The off-ramp will remain open. U.S. 2/7 near CVS Pharmacy will be under lane closures and lane reductions.
Motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan ahead, leaving plenty of additional time to get to and from your destination. Whenever possible, consider alternate routes or other forms of transportation such as carpooling, ridesharing, transit, biking, or walking. Drivers should slow down, use caution, and follow flaggers and road signs.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: During the daytime hours, crews will be installing drainage infrastructure along Lower Mountain View Drive and the I-89 northbound off-ramp and performing clearing operations on U.S. 2/7 near the CVS Pharmacy.
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Weekly Construction Update - Friday, September 19, 2025
DATE: Friday, September 19, 2025
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Exit 16 DDI Project will be conducting drilling and blasting activities (blasting) to remove hard rock and ledge below the surface of the ground that cannot be removed using mechanical methods. Blasting is anticipated to begin the week of October 6. The start of blasting activities is dependent on both weather and the contractor's schedule. Blasting will take place along U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7) within the project limits. Up to two blasting events will take place a day and will be restricted to weekdays and daytime hours. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks. For additional information, click here to learn more.
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Sunday, September 21, through Friday, September 26, between the hours of 7 PM and 6 AM, crews will be working on U.S. 2/7 near the Whitcomb Street under lane closures and lane reductions. One lane will be maintained in each direction along U.S. 2/7 under traffic shifts. The entrance to Whitcomb Street will be closed during nighttime hours (7 PM – 6 AM), reopening each morning.
From Monday, September 22, through Friday, September 26, between 6 AM and 3 PM, crews will be working along U.S. 2/7 between Lower Mountain View Drive and the Interstate 89 (I-89) southbound on and off ramps under lane closures and lane reductions. Lane shifts on Lower Mountain View Drive will be in effect with traffic maintained.
Motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan ahead, leaving plenty of additional time to get to and from your destination. Whenever possible, consider alternate routes or other forms of transportation such as carpooling, ridesharing, transit, biking, or walking. Drivers should slow down, use caution, and follow flaggers and road signs.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: During the nighttime hours, crews will be installing drainage infrastructure along U.S. 2/7 near Whitcomb Street. During the daytime hours, crews will be installing drainage infrastructure along U.S. 2/7, starting at Lower Mountain View Drive and continuing south towards the I-89 southbound ramps and performing clearing operations in preparation for blasting activities starting in early October.
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Construction Update - Friday, September 12, 2025
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Sunday, September 14, through Friday, September 19, between the hours of 7 PM and 6 AM, crews will be working on U.S. 2/7 near the Highpoint Center driveway under lane closures and lane reductions. One lane will be maintained in each direction along U.S. 2/7 under traffic shifts. The entrance to Highpoint Center across from South Park Drive will be closed during nighttime hours (7 PM – 6 AM), reopening each morning. Access will be maintained via the southern driveway.
From Monday, September 15, through Friday, September 19, between 6 AM and 3 PM, crews will be working along U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive under lane closures and lane reductions. Lane width reductions may be in place along the Interstate 89 (I-89) southbound on-ramp. The on-ramp will remain open.
Motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan ahead, leaving plenty of additional time to get to and from your destination. Whenever possible, consider alternate routes or other forms of transportation such as carpooling, ridesharing, transit, biking, or walking. Drivers should slow down, use caution, and follow flaggers and road signs.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: During the nighttime hours, crews will be installing drainage infrastructure along U.S. 2/7 near the Highpoint Center driveway. During the daytime hours, crews will begin mobilizing construction equipment to the site. The installation of erosion prevention and sediment control systems throughout the project area will take place early next week. Mid-week, construction of the stormwater retention pond near the I-89 southbound on-ramp will begin.
Read moreDriving Animations
Experience Exit 16 DDI
