Millstone Hill West Bike Path

Barre Town, Vermont

D&K engineers completed the alignment analysis, developed final design, and prepared final engineering plans and contract documents for the Millstone Hill West Bike Path, a 7,100 ft-long, 10 ft-wide shared use pathway for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non motorized users. As part of the larger Central Vermont Regional Path, the Millstone Hill West Bike Path provides connection between the Websterville and Graniteville area, the elementary school and Graniteville neighborhood, recreational and residential areas, and commercial and industrial operations.

The project was developed through the VTrans Local Transportation Facilities (LTF) Section and followed the LTF Guidebook. Professional services included project definition (purpose and need, project scoping, information gathering, public participation), right-of-way, utility considerations, final design and contract documents, and engineering services during bid and construction. Environmental documentation and permitting services included: Categorical Exclusion, Wetlands, Historical & Archaeological, Stormwater, NPDES, Corps of Engineers, Stream Alteration, and Act 250.

The design incorporated reuse and recycling techniques, avoidance of natural resources, and extensive alignment analysis. Bridges (90 and 60-ft spans) were used to span a large wetland and a stream. D&K advocated use of recycled steel beams for the longer bridge and adaptive reuse of a historic steel truss bridge for the shorter span, resulting in significant cost savings to the Town. Trees removed from the path during construction were ground on site and used for erosion control. D&K was proactive in right-of-way acquisition, engaging property owners through early and consistent coordination and informational meetings resulting in significant public and landowner support for the project. Work included property owner meetings, development of preliminary and final right-of-way plans, property appraisals, and assistance with review of right-of-way documents.