Dawn Francis, Town Manager
Reminder - Property Taxes are due Wednesday, November 15!
Malletts Bay Scoping Project
At the October 10, 2017 Selectboard meeting, the Board reviewed the Malletts Bay Scoping Project. The staff recommended that the Selectboard endorse further development of the 10’ shared use path and a sidewalk segment on the north side of the roadway. It was one of the least costly of the three options presented and would provide a high level of pedestrian and bike safety, increased stormwater management opportunities, and have only moderate right-of-way impacts. The path would include a section of separated bike path along the south side of West Lakeshore Drive from the Bayside intersection to Prim Road. The sidewalk segment would provide approximately 1,000 feet of 5’ sidewalk on the north side of the road from the State Fishing Access to the Lakeshore Drive Shopping Plaza. These improvements have a future conceptual construction cost estimate of $5.4 million and would be subject to voter approval.
With the Selectboard’s endorsement, Town Staff will now be looking for grants and other opportunities to fund additional study and design of the improvements. I encourage anyone interested in the comprehensive Malletts Bay Scoping Project to visit the project website at http://bit.ly/2iXb2Jn . The Study’s final report will be available for public review the week of November 20, 2017.
Next summer will bring the construction of a 10 foot shared used path along West Lakeshore Drive from Prim Road to Church Road. When that project is completed, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to travel from Colchester Village to the Causeway, and beyond (with the exception of the missing path connection between Prim Road and Bayside Park). Currently a 5 foot sidewalk serves as the connection; a separate 10 foot path will increase the distance between vehicles and path users and will improve safety. The new path will also provide opportunities for stormwater storage and treatment that are highly desirable (and sorely needed) along West Lakeshore Drive.
For more about the Town Manager visit http://colchestervt.gov/manager or call (802) 264-5509.