Vermont’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange

8/28/2026

Project Announcement - Exit 16 DDI to become Operational in mid-September

Major Milestone: Traffic Changes Coming as the Exit 16 Diverging Diamond Interchange Opens This September

DATE: Wednesday, August 26, 2026

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is improving the roadway along the U.S. Route 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 Sunderland Woods Road. The core of the project is to reconfigure the existing tight diamond interchange into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at I-89 Exit 16.

The final construction phase of the project, which includes the construction of the Diverging Diamond Interchange and other multimodal transportation improvements, began in May of 2025, and will be completed in July of 2027. This September will mark another major milestone as the new traffic pattern is implemented and the Diverging Diamond Interchange becomes functional. Supplemental updates will be issued in the coming weeks.

Test Drive the DDI at the Champlain Valley Fair

With new traffic patterns coming to the Exit 16 Interchange this September, the Exit 16 DDI Project Team is ramping up community outreach efforts!

Join us at the Champlain Valley Fair from August 28 through September 6, where project team members will be available to answer questions, provide updates, and address concerns about the upcoming traffic changes. Visitors can also take a turn on our driving simulator and experience the future interchange before the new traffic pattern is implemented in September.

Be sure to stop by for project information, giveaways, and other fun promotional items. We will be located in the North Expo of the Robert E Miller Expo Centre. We look forward to seeing you there!

8/28/2026

Weekly Construction Update - Friday, August 28, 2026

DATE: Friday, August 28, 2026

PROJECT UPDATE: Crew are working to construct the new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Exit 16, which will relieve traffic congestion and improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The new traffic pattern, which will cross traffic over to the left side of the road at the interchange, is anticipated to go into effect in mid-September.

Interesting in driving the DDI before it is constructed? The Exit 16 DDI Project Team is bringing the driving simulator to the Champlain Valley Fair, from August 28 – September 6. Come visit us, test drive the future Exit 16 interchange and ask questions. We will be located in the North Expo of the Robert E Miller Expo Centre.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Crews will be off site starting at noon on Friday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day. Crews will return Monday, September 7 at 7 p.m.

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Nightly, starting the evening of Sunday, August 30, through the morning of Friday, September 4, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise noted:

• Lane closures along alternating sides of U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7), between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive, with two-way traffic maintained through traffic shifts onto the open side of the roadway.
• Intermittent width reductions and traffic shifts on South Park Drive, the Interstate 89 (I-89) Ramps, and Mountain View Drive. Traffic will be maintained.

Daily, starting the morning of Monday, August 31, through noon on Friday, September 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Periodic outermost lane closures on either side of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained.
• Lane closure with alternating one-way traffic on U.S. 2/7 near Sunderland Woods Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

Motorists should slow down, use caution, and follow traffic control personnel's instructions and signage. In addition, motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan additional travel time or consider alternative routes.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Nighttime work this week will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting the evening of Sunday, August 30, through the morning of Friday, September 4. Crews will be milling the side road approach joints at the intersections of U.S. 2/7 and South Park Drive, the I-89 Ramps, and Mountain View Drive in preparation for paving. Crews will be paving mainline U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive and portions of South Park Drive, the I-89 Ramps, and Mountain View Drive throughout the week. Milling and paving activities are weather dependent.

Daytime work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting the morning of Monday, August 31, through noon on Friday, September 4. Crews will continue constructing sidewalk and stamped concrete and installing curb along both sides of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive and conducting repairs to the piers of the I-89 overpass bridges. East Coast Signals will be on site completing signal work at the traffic signals for the Diverging Diamond Interchange between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Additionally, crews will be prepping for future drainage work along U.S. 2/7 near Sunderland Woods Road.

8/21/2026

Weekly Construction Update - Friday, August 21, 2026

DATE: Friday, August 21, 2026

PROJECT UPDATE: Crew are working to construct the new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Exit 16, which will relieve traffic congestion and improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The new traffic pattern, which will cross traffic over to the left side of the road, is anticipated to go into effect in mid-September.

Interesting in driving the DDI before it is constructed? The Exit 16 DDI Project Team is bringing the driving simulator to the Champlain Valley Fair, from August 28 – September 6. Come visit us, test drive the future Exit 16 interchange and ask questions.

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Intermittent traffic impacts at night, starting the evening of Sunday, August 23, through the morning of Friday, August 28, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise noted:

• Lane closures along alternating sides of U.S. Route 2/7 (U.S. 2/7), between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive, with two-way traffic maintained through traffic shifts onto the open side of the roadway.

Daily, starting the morning of Monday, August 24, through the afternoon of Friday, August 28, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Outermost lane closures on either side of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained.
• Single lane closure on alternating sides of U.S. 2/7 near Rathe Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

Motorists should slow down, use caution, and follow traffic control personnel's instructions and signage. In addition, motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan additional travel time or consider alternative routes.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Intermittent nighttime work this week will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting the evening of Sunday, August 23, through the morning of Friday, August 28. Crews will be adjusting signs on U.S. 2/7 mounted overhead on the Interstate 89 (I-89) overpass bridges intermittently throughout the week. Mid-week, crews will prep, mill, and pave shim along U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive.

Daytime work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting the morning of Monday, August 24, through the afternoon of Friday, August 28. Early next week, curb installation and stamped concrete work will take place along both sides of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Throughout the week, crews will continue prepping sidewalk and East Coast Signals will be on site completing signal wiring work at the traffic signals for the Diverging Diamond Interchange between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Additionally, crews will continue widening U.S. 2/7 and slope configuration near Rathe Road.

8/14/2026

Weekly Construction Update - Friday, August 14, 2026

DATE: Friday, August 14, 2026

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: Nightly, starting the evening of Sunday, August 16, through the morning of Tuesday, August 18, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise noted:

• Single lane closures will be in effect along Mountain View Drive and Lower Mountain View Drive near their intersection with U.S. 2/7. Two-way traffic will be maintained through traffic shifts and alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers.

Daily, starting the morning of Monday, August 17, through the afternoon of Friday, August 21, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Outermost lane closures on either side of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained.
• Single lane closure on alternating sides of U.S. 2/7 near Rathe Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained.

Motorists should slow down, use caution, and follow traffic control personnel's instructions and signage. In addition, motorists should expect significant delays when traveling through the work zone and along adjacent roadways. Please plan additional travel time or consider alternative routes.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Nighttime work this week will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting the evening of Sunday, August 16, through the morning of Tuesday, August 18. Crews will be milling and paving Mountain View Drive and Lower Mountain View Drive within the project limits at their intersection with U.S. 2/7.

Daytime work will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting the morning of Monday, August 17, through the afternoon of Friday, August 21. Crews will continue prepping and constructing sidewalk and stamped concrete, installing curb, and conducting slope work along both sides of U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive. Crews will continue conducting repairs to the piers of the Interstate 89 overpass bridges. Additionally, signal infrastructure and curb work will take place at the signalized intersections along U.S. 2/7 between South Park Drive and Mountain View Drive/Lower Mountain View Drive. Crews will continue widening and slope configuration on U.S. 2/7 near Rathe Road.