Route 107 work continues, segments remain closed to all non-emergency travel
Due to damage from Tropical Storm Irene, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has closed the approximately 1.5 mile section of Route 107 in Stockbridge between Tozier’s Restaurant and Lambert’s Chainsaw Repair to all traffic except emergency vehicles.The stretch of Route 107 in this area was completely washed away by Tropical Storm Irene. Roadway reconstruction efforts have been hampered by recent rains, which destabilized roadway embankments and caused trees to collapse into the construction area. Restoring access to Route 107 is a state priority. Crews are working diligently to repair the road, stabilize the embankment and clear trees that are in danger of falling into the roadway. Although crews are allowing emergency vehicles to traverse the roadway if necessary, the area is not safe for public use and remains closed to all personal vehicles, including local traffic. Realizing that this closure restricts people from accessing their homes, VTrans is quickly working to make the area safe for local traffic, and hopes to restore limited local travel by the end of the week. Beginning sometime later this week, VTrans, barring any unforeseen setbacks, plans to reopen this 1.5-mile segment of Route 107 only to local traffic, and then only between the hours of 6 pm and 7 am. The exact day and time that limited public access will be allowed is unknown. Limiting local access to the hours between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. is necessary to maintain public safety. The restriction will keep vehicles out of the roadway when construction crews are working, but will allow residents to leave their homes early in the morning and return later that same evening. Once the roadway is reconstructed to the point where construction crews and local traffic can safely use the area together, VTrans will alter the time restriction and allow local vehicles to access nearby homes for an increased period of time. As for full public access, VTrans does not yet have a timeline. Route 107 in this area is one of the state’s most severely damaged roadways, and the Agency asks for everyone’s patience while construction crews make repairs. VTrans. 9.13.2011