Burlington proposes new waterfront and railyard access project

With the key feature being direct access from Pine Street to Battery Street, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, together with Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Brian Searles, has announced a new waterfront and railyard access project that will link Pine and Battery streets through a new urban street grid, creating a multi-modal network of rail, truck, car, transit, bike, and pedestrian connections to access Burlington’s southern waterfront and railyard.  Weinberger will seek City Council support to begin scoping the new project at an October 2012 City Council meeting. (SEE MAP BELOW)

“For decades, people have looked at maps of Burlington and asked ‘why can’t there be improved access to the waterfront from Pine Street?’” said Weinberger.  “Today, I am pleased and thankful that we finally can envision a day when that connection will be made.” 

Steady progress was accomplished through a series of communications and meetings between Weinberger and Searles, including the exchange of letters between the two leaders that paved the way for the announcement. 

“We’re excited to partner with Mayor Weinberger and the City of Burlington,” said Searles.  “This new project will be good for economic development, improve truck access to the railyard, and provide options to residents and visitors to access Burlington’s waterfront.” 

Mayor Weinberger and Secretary Searles were joined at the press event by City Council President Joan Shannon, Councilor Rachel Siegel, Ernie Pomerleau, and other community leaders. 

“I’ve long advocated for traffic relief options beyond the Champlain Parkway believing that an expansion of the grid was both possible and sensible,” said Shannon.  “Thank you Mayor Weinberger and Secretary Searles for listening to the many voices in this area including the Maple, King, and Pine Street residents, housing advocates, and historic preservationists, and moving forward to create a grid that will not only alleviate traffic, but connect the Pine Street businesses and neighborhoods to the lake.” 

"This is a moment worth noting, when members of Burlington’s different political parties are in agreement, not only about the value of the southern waterfront project, but also about the vital importance of enhancing the lower King Street neighborhood,” said Siegel.  “Finding a solution that improves the neighborhood helped unify support for this initiative."

City of Burlington. 9.21.2012