Community Development Projects

In 2015, the then Village Trustees endorsed a proposal to study pedestrianizing Main Street. This proposal was based upon a preliminary engineering analysis that showed wait times and traffic congestion throughout the village center could be dramatically reduced by routing Main Street traffic onto the Crescent Connector and converting Five Corners to a standard four-way intersection. Removing traffic from Main Street at the five-way intersection also reduces the lanes entering the intersection from 16 to 12 and provides more room and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. It would also allow room to expand the size of Veterans Memorial Park and connect it to a pedestrian area.   

The Main Street closure concept is still entirely conceptual and must receive a thorough engineering and environmental analysis before further steps are taken. That analysis also requires the Crescent Connector to be completed first. If further analysis shows the Main Street concept is correct (it must clear many hurdles first), the City government would need to collaborate with downtown businesses to address the impacts before proceeding. For example, we would need to find a way to replace the parking spaces for Main Street businesses. That would require a long-range strategic planning program affecting other parts of the City center. All further actions on the Main Street pedestrianization concept can only occur once the Crescent Connector is in place. The City must initiate a comprehensive public outreach campaign if further analysis indicates a significant traffic benefit. 

Phase 1 of this project, which focused on railroad crossing improvements within the City core in 2022, is now complete. The second phase of the Crescent Connector Project will consist of constructing a new roadway connecting Park Street to Maple Street and a full-depth reconstruction of Railroad Street. Work will begin on May 15, 2023, with the preparation of the site with construction limit fencing and signage. Construction will begin in earnest on May 22, 2023, on Park Street. This project will impact Park Street, Main Street, and Maple Street at various times throughout the course of the construction. Moveable message boards will warn of street and lane closures. It will also include the installation of new traffic signals at Park Street and Maple Street. The project will include bike lanes and new sidewalks, and the entire route will have new street lights installed. Both phases of this project have been in development for the past 12 years, and the construction of Phase 2 will complete this long-term project. The estimated completion date of this project is November 2024.

Residents or businesses interested in receiving daily emails on the progress of the Crescent Connector Phase 2 Project can subscribe to the mailing list by emailing Rick Hamlin, City Engineer, at crescentconnectorphase2@ dlhce.com.

Corrective Action Plan Amendment Crescent Connector Roadway

Amtrak Accessible Station Platform Project

In April 2024, Amtrak began its second phase of the project to build a new, accessible train station platform in Essex Junction. This work is expected to take approximately one year to complete, with a pause during the winter months. This phase of the project will create a raised train platform about eight inches above the track level.

During the construction phase, a temporary train passenger waiting area will be established. Additionally, some parking spaces will be used by construction vehicles throughout the project. However, efforts will be made to minimize the impact on the community.

Bus service is not expected to be significantly impacted, but during certain phases of the project, the stop may have to be moved about 150 feet to the south.

For more information on this project, please contact Chris Yuen, Community Development Director, at cyuen@ essexjunction.org or 802-878-6944.

Essex Junction Multimodal Train and Bus Station Improvements

With daily Service to Springfield Massachusetts, New York City, and Washington DC, Essex Junction Station is Vermont’s second busiest Amtrak Station. In 2022, the Congress passed a budget providing $3 Million in Congressionally Delegated Funds for the City to renovate and improve the train station and surrounding area. Conceptual designs were based on a 2016 scoping study, approved by Village Trustee at the time. This study is available on here: https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/scoping/essex-junction-train-station-access-circulation-study/ .

In May of 2024, Federal Railway Administration granted the City Pre-Award Authority to begin work on Preliminary Design and Engineering, Environmental Review, and work on other federal grant obligation requirements. Design and planning for this project is ongoing.

In July 2022, the City surveyed residents to understand the community's opinion on the use and aesthetic of the "urban park" at Five Corners (1 Main Street) in Essex Junction. 

In August 2022, soil testing for the site was conducted, and it was found that the majority of the space was not contaminated to a severe degree, though portions would require remediation. 

On October 26, 2022, David Burton with Ginkgo Designs presented a conceptual design for the park to the City Council. The current design has multiple park entryways, fences and plantings, and multiple sources of shade (such as temporary shadings and a central pergola). The design also includes prominent features, such as multi-level seating areas, bike racks, trees, and the entrance to the Firebird Café.