Editing Interstate 89 (section)

== Future ==
Vermont and New Hampshire are working together to reconstruct the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge over the [[Connecticut River]]. As part of construction, the deck and superstructure of the bridge would be replaced, and [[auxiliary lane]]s would be added to give more merging room for travelers entering and exiting I-89 at the exits for [[Interstate 91|I-91]]. Construction will occur between 2020 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vnews.com/Interstate-89-project-could-have-major-traffic-impacts-26056475 |title=Interstate 89 projects pose commute problems for Lebanon, Hartford |last=Camerato |first=Tim |date=June 5, 2019 |website=Valley News |access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2017 |title=I-89 Lebanon, NH–Hartford, VT Bridge Reconstruction & Widening Project |url=https://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/lebhart16148/documents/16148_narrative_101617.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927023102/https://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/lebhart16148/documents/16148_narrative_101617.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=September 8, 2022 |publisher=[[New Hampshire Department of Transportation]]}}</ref>{{Update after|2022}}

The [[Vermont Agency of Transportation]] (VTrans) has released plans to build a [[diverging diamond interchange]] along I-89 at exit 16 (milepost exit 91; [[U.S. Route 2 in Vermont|US 2]]/[[U.S. Route 7 in Vermont|US 7]]) in [[Colchester, Vermont|Colchester]], the first interchange of its kind in the state. Construction was expected to start in early 2023 and be completed in late 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/april/09/colchester-exit-16-ddi-project-scheduled-2020 |title=Colchester Exit 16 DDI project scheduled for 2020 |date=April 9, 2019 |website=Vermont Business Magazine |language=en |access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.exit16ddi.vtransprojects.vermont.gov/ |title=Colchester Exit 16 DDI |publisher= Vermont Agency of Transportation |access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref> However, phase I of construction began earlier than originally planned in winter 2022. Phase I work will relocate utilities, replace waterlines, and remove ledges, along with additional work on retaining walls and drainage. Working on the diverging diamond itself is expected to begin in fall 2024 once bidding and a contract let has been made. However, its completion has now been pushed back to mid-2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=St. Angelo |first1=Lilly |title=Detours and night work: Road work to expect in Chittenden County this summer |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2023/05/01/vermont-road-work-chittenden-county-road-projects-this-summer/70151213007/ |access-date=July 25, 2023 |work=Burlington Free Press |date=May 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Project Overview: Exit 16 Diverging Diamond Interchange |url=https://www.exit16ddi.vtransprojects.vermont.gov/project-overview/ |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation |access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref><!-- The website incorrectly says that construction started in Winter 2023 -->

Starting in early 2024, VTrans is improving the interchange at exit 17 (milepost 97; US 2/US 7) at I-89 and the Chimney Corner intersection of US 2 and US 7 in Colchester, with corresponding roadway improvements and the replacement of the existing bridge carrying US 2 over I-89 within the project limits. In order to address safety concerns of traffic backing up onto I-89 northbound, the intersection of the northbound off-ramp and US 2 will be improved by adding a left turn lane onto US 2 eastbound to increase capacity. The southbound off-ramp will also be reconstructed to make way for a new southbound on-ramp to eliminate the left-turn conflict point for vehicles accessing I-89 southbound from US 2 westbound. In addition, the intersection of US 2 and US 7 will be reconfigured along with the widening of the roadways to accommodate additional turning lanes, all of which are key project elements in reducing queuing and delays. Construction will last for three construction seasons and, as of June 2024, is expected to be completed in mid-2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colchester Exit 17 Project: Colchester NH 028-1(31) |url=https://vtrans.vermont.gov/projects/colchester-exit17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615000854/https://vtrans.vermont.gov/projects/colchester-exit17 |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=June 14, 2024 |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colchester Bridge BR#18A Factsheet |url=https://resources.vtrans.vermont.gov/FactSheet/default.aspx?pin=14T213 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615000856/https://resources.vtrans.vermont.gov/FactSheet/default.aspx?pin=14T213 |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=June 14, 2024 |publisher=Vermont Agency of Transportation}}</ref>