Signage diverting traffic away from the closed bridge has been added and repositioned, according to Washburn, and cars are no longer parking along the road near the construction site.
Additional detour signs were put up in Middlesex and off the interstate in Montpelier Tuesday morning, Washburn said.
The 364-foot bridge was closed by the Vermont Agency of Transportation to undergo repairs to the deteriorating deck and failing joints. The bridge will remain closed to all traffic until August 17, while construction takes place 24/7.
Traffic is currently being detoured on Route 100 north toward Waterbury, then onto Route 2 east toward Middlesex.
According to project spokesperson Julie Chauvin, the deck concrete will be poured beginning August 2, the approaches will be paved and the containment platform will be removed.
Several Moretown residents expressed frustration Monday, July 20, over the increase in traffic over Moretown Common Road, which is open to local traffic only during the construction period.
Many called attention to the lack of signage properly directing traffic over the detour route, especially on the Montpelier side, where they assume most of the traffic over the Common Road originated.
Since then, Vermont State Troopers have increased their patrol on the Common Road in an effort to control traffic and speed on the road. Washburn indicated an unconfirmed report of 98 cars traveling the road between 3 and 4 p.m.
"The state police have been out, not as much as we'd like to see them," Washburn added.
Washburn also said three to four cars have gone off the road on Moretown Common Road since construction began.
In addition, according to Washburn, a tractor trailer carrying a mobile home was forced to turn around once it reached the closed bridge, after being issued an overload permit from the state to travel Route 100B.
Washburn said the town has sent a letter to the state requesting reimbursement for the costs they've incurred for sheriff's coverage.
"Our Town Constable Raymond Munn has done a heck of a job," Washburn said. A speed trailer will likely arrive on Moretown Common Road within a week, according to Washburn.
Concerns over possible damage to the Moretown Common Road resulted in an agreement with the state that the road would be graded by the town road crew at the state's expense.
Town Road Foreman Craig Elwell is monitoring the situation, Washburn said, and the road hasn't been graded as of yet.
"The roads are holding up really well," Washburn continued.
Washburn said that there have been "a lot of complaints, and rightfully so" from residents of Moretown Common Road concerned over traffic and speed control. "The state was a little slow to react," Washburn added.
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