Pearl Street West
Pearl Street Multimodal Improvements Scoping Study
Project Area: Pearl Street (VT Route 15), from Susie Wilson Road to West Street Extension
Project Phase: Updated Scoping Study (Summer 2025)
Project Overview
The City of Essex Junction is working with Stantec to develop a new alternative for multimodal improvements along Pearl Street (VT Route 15), between Susie Wilson Road and West Street Extension. This updated concept builds on a 2018 scoping study conducted in partnership with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), which proposed major upgrades to support walking, biking, and transit use.
The original 2018 plan envisioned a full reconfiguration of the roadway, including:
- Removing the existing center median
- Reducing vehicle travel lanes from four to two
- Installing buffered bike lanes
- Replacing the 5-foot concrete sidewalk with an 8-foot shared-use path
While the long-term vision remains valid, its projected cost—approximately $4.3 million (adjusted for 2025)—presents a significant funding challenge. Projects of this scale exceed typical award amounts from programs like the VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and other state/federal sources.
As a result, the City is now pursuing a near-term design that:
- Improves safety and connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians
- Minimizes disruption to existing curbs, sidewalks, and utilities
- Incorporates new crosswalks and a proposed eastbound transit stop—addressing a ¾ mile segment where eastbound Green Mountain Transit Route 2 buses currently do not serve riders due to lack of safe infrastructure
This updated alternative aims to deliver meaningful improvements within the next few years using existing available funding.
More information, including conceptual design graphics, will be posted to this page by August 1, 2025.
Upcoming Public Meeting
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Kolvoord Room, Brownell Library
Remote Access Info:Planning Commission Meetings Page
Join us to review the draft alternative, ask questions, and share your thoughts with the project team.
Have Comments or Questions?
We want to hear from you!
Email Chris Yuen, Community Development Director at cyuen@essexjunction.org
Project Illustrations
Figure 1. The 2018 preferred alternative includes both a shared-use path and buffered bike lanes, but requires extensive curb, utility, and tree modifications.
Figure 2. Green Mountain Transit’s Route 2 is one of Vermont’s most frequent all-day transit services. However, eastbound buses currently bypass this segment of Pearl Street due to the lack of sidewalks and safe crossings.
For more information about the Community Development Department’s transportation initiatives, visit the Community Development webpage.