SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Transportation experts are considering ways to reimagine one of the busiest interchanges in the state.
The Exit 14 scoping study is in the early stages, where the state and local partners are considering feedback from the public with the eventual goal of changing the interchange for the better.
At the corner of busy Dorset Street and Williston Road, Needleman’s Bridal & Formal is one business that’s seen it all.
“I’ve seen things get crazy through the parking lot. It’s almost like the Daytona 500,” said Mark Needleman of Needleman’s Bridal and Formal.
Owner Mark Needleman says many try to avoid the traffic backup towards the interstate by zipping through their parking lot.
He says he frequently sees fender benders in this congested area and even gives customers directions to avoid making a left turn onto the busy intersection.
“Best thing to do is go to the Barnes and Noble light so you don’t get, you know, you’re not taking your life in your hands coming out of the parking lot,” he said.
In an interchange where 369 crashes took place from 2019-2023, transportation experts say now is the time to consider what new configurations would benefit Exit 14.
“Really envision what could work there both for access to our sort of economic hub here in Chittenden County and getting folks from the region and along the interstate into the area, but also for folks that are living on either side of the interchange,” said Karen Sentoff, VHB Transportation Consultant.
Sentoff says Exit 14′s bridge is reaching the end of its useful life, and a full interstate study shows the interchange has safety issues, poor spacing for signals, and bad ramp acceleration.
The first public meeting on this topic kicked off in May.
“There have been some, you know, new ideas and fresh perspectives on what folks want to see. Folks want to feel comfortable for walking and biking,” said Sentoff.
Simultaneously, the Exit 14 pedestrian bridge will be constructed next spring. Sentoff says that’s a project they’d work alongside.
In the meantime – business owners like Needleman say they’ll continue to encourage drivers to navigate the interchange with care.
“It can be problematic whether you’re a pedestrian or somebody shopping at one of the nice stores in this plaza. Something needs to be done about it,” said Needleman.
Sentoff says they’re taking the summer to look at different configurations for the interchange and come back in the fall for what the community likes. The goal is to make a recommendation to VTrans at the end – and replacement would happen based on priority.
