7 Imaginary Highways In Vermont

Submitted by Emerald_196 t3_10a87f7 in vermont

Let's face it, Vermont doesn't have the easiest means of travel. To get from Montpelier to Middlebury you have to go to Burlington and down route 7.

This is a list of 7 roadways that don't exist, probably won't exist, and probably shouldn't exist, but it is fun to think about.

Remember this is supposed to be hypothetical, not to be taken literally. I don't want to see comments explaining why they won't work. I know they won't work.

Route 80 (Southern Orange County Highway). West End: Route 14 in East Randolph. East End: Route 25 in Bradford. This highway would connect Randolph to Tunbridge, Strafford, West Fairlee, and Bradford, adding much needed East-West travel in Orange County. It would be at least 35 miles long.

Route 90. West End: US 7 in Middlebury. East End: New Hampshire State Line in Barnet. This long East-West Route weaves through Cities and mountains alike. It runs between The Mad River Glen and Sugarbush, before connecting Waitsfield to Northfield. After connecting I89 (Overtaking the existing VT63), it descends into Barre, joining with VT14 and eventually US302. After leaving 302 it heads to East Montpelier, joining US2. After leaving US2, it weaves through the Groton Wilderness, connecting many state parks before joining VT232 and eventually US302 again. This time though it heads north through Ryegate, eventually having an interchange with I91 and turning towards Littleton New Hampshire. It is about 90 miles long

Route 84. South End: Route 142 in Vernon. North End: Route 30 in Winhall. This Modest route connects Vernon with the Stratton Ski area. Offering a different path through the southern mountains, it would replace existing roadways. About 50 miles.

Route 85. South End: Route 131 in Cavendish. North End: Route 107 in Royalton. This Road connects I89 to the Twin Farms resort, Silver Lake state park, provides an alternate route to Bridgewater, and finally provides a straight shot to Cavendish. About 42 miles.

Route 86. South End: Route 17 in Addison. North End: US 2 in South Burlington. This Route provides waterfront access to Lake Champlain before giving access to the Shelburne farms, providing needed traffic control around Burlington to Shelburne, and having an interchange with I89 before ending just outside the airport. About 40 miles.

Interstate 489. This Loop road is a continuation of Route 289, and is a 35 mile loop around the Burlington Metro area. It would have two interchanges with I89, one outside Colchester and one outside Williston.

Cushman Tunnel Road. This is the pinnicle of won't exist. West End: Route 100 in Rochester. East End: Route 12a in Braintree. This 14 mile road simply heads through a tunnel in Mount Cushman, giving Rochester and Granville better access to the surrounding area, including a straight shot to I89

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

GrubSprings t1_j43vjc6 wrote

I would consent to a train line from White River to Rutland. Right through the middle of Woodstock.

10

vtramfan t1_j4472bn wrote

High speed?

3

GrubSprings t1_j461c0n wrote

I have read that you need relatively straight lines to achieve comfortable high speed service. Moving through the valleys of the green mountains at faster than 120 MPH would probably feel too much like a roller coaster for the average rail passenger.

1

Normal-Upstairs-4836 t1_j43tubd wrote

This world doesn't need more highways.

9

ReasonableLiving5958 t1_j42r0n3 wrote

Imaginary highways are cool but I dream more about fixing local town traffic first. These towns are not built for this kind of traffic and it shows. Middlebury and Hinesburg especially during rush hour are undriveable.

8

Puzzled_Extent2169 t1_j45wiz8 wrote

I’m not trying to be an ass here, seriously I’m not. I’m genuinely curious if you have lived in a town like DC, LA or Houston and have experienced that sort of traffic? I grew up in DC where it took me upwards of 45 minutes to commute 5 miles - for 9 years in a row. Can you describe what you mean by undriveable?

4

zombienutz1 t1_j46nbx3 wrote

Probably because you have to drive through towns on those routes and it can get congested due to lots of signage, 25mph, pedestrian traffic, single lanes, overly courteous VT drivers, and so on. VT roads were made before cars so everyone built up to the path that existed then. It's really hindered expansion of roads, which is part of the charm of VT I suppose.

1

TheLazyGeniuses t1_j4bhswq wrote

And Rutland is a great example of what happens when you decide to run a highway straight through your town.

2

vtddy t1_j433j67 wrote

There are other ways of getting from Montpelier to Middlebury

5

gmb158 t1_j43kx94 wrote

Agreed, but only a couple minutes faster than 89 and 7.

1

PuddleCrank t1_j42zjlh wrote

289 was supposed to be your proposed 489, but it was never finished.

4

Emerald_196 OP t1_j42zmjq wrote

I know. I said that

−8

PuddleCrank t1_j42zwma wrote

Well, it would just be called 289 following interstate naming conventions, which you presumably know. What with showing off 489.

6

Normal-Upstairs-4836 t1_j43ti1d wrote

100b to 100 to 17 to 116 to Quarry Rd. A piece of cake.

4

GrubSprings t1_j43v78d wrote

Came to say this. Drive from montpelier to middlebury several times a month and I have never gone through burlington. Worst you have to do is Williston if its an ice storm.

2

Outrageous-Outside61 t1_j4473cz wrote

The only interstate I could see being added, but honestly I would fight it, would be extending 93 to meet with 89 up by Swanson/st Albany’s.

We don’t need more interstates. They fucked up a lot of farms when they were first put in, some close friends of mine included.

Edit. st Albany’s is probably my favorite autocorrect I’ve had in awhile. Obviously meant St. Albans. Haha

3

random_vermonter t1_j4730at wrote

Would be nice to have a faster way to get to NH. I'll settle for getting to NH via 89.

2

Outrageous-Outside61 t1_j47icq4 wrote

I was told when I was a kid that 93 was originally supposed to go to Burlington, but that was scrapped when it took them 20 years to complete the 11 miles that are in Vermont. No idea if there’s any truth to that.

1

hideous-boy t1_j439ygi wrote

does the proposed Route 86 start at Champlain Bridge and is it sort of just parallel to 7 from Vergennes on?

1

Emerald_196 OP t1_j43a4a4 wrote

Kinda? It starts further inland but moves closer to the shore until Shelburne

1

twowheels t1_j49fq37 wrote

I’d settle for a few more exits so that if you miss your turn, not paying attention, it doesn’t cost you 1/2 hour!

Oh, and one at the point where I have to cross over the highway every time to go miles around to get back to the highway.

1