Main/S. Union intersection has been fully reopened.
Main St: Church Street intersection to S. Winooski Ave is fully closed to vehicle traffic.
The Main Street Project
Update May 9, 2025
The Main Street-S. Union intersection is fully open to traffic. The Main/S. Winooski intersection is scheduled to fully close on Monday, 5/12 for approximately two weeks. It is scheduled to partially open to traffic for weekends. Main Street from the Church St intersection to S. Winooski Ave remains fully closed to vehicle traffic. The Main/Pine intersection remains fully closed to vehicluar traffic 24/7 but will partially reopen for the weekend of 5/16. Paving of gravel surfaces throughout the project is scheduled to begin the week of 5/12.
Update May 2, 2025
The Main Street-S. Union intersection is fully open. The Main/S. Winooski intersection is open to North/South/East vehicle traffic. Main Street from the Church St intersection to S. Winooski Ave is fully closed to vehicle traffic. The Main/Pine intersection is now fully closed to vehicluar traffic 24/7. Bike and pedestrian access will be maintained for at least 3 legs of the intersection. Parking is available at the Courthouse Plaza Garage, S. Winooski Ave entrance at city rates. The lower portion of the Main/Winooski lot is open.
Update April 25, 2025
The Main-S. Winooski intersection is open to North/South through traffic. Main Street starting at the Church Street intersection through S. Winooski is fully closed to vehicle traffic. Main/S. Union intersection is anticipated to reopen to restricted traffic flow on Monday, 4/28. Eastbound (right hand) turns from S. Union on to Main St only. The Main/Pine intersection will close to vehicluar traffic 24/7 as early as 4/28 for approximately 3 weeks. Bike/Ped access will be maintained for at least 3 legs of the intersection.
The Main Street concept is about balancing all of the uses of our public right of way
It will optimize the roadway by converting diagonal parking to parallel. These changes will allow for the introduction of wider sidewalks, appropriately sized tree belts to support tree health and storm water management, and a protected bike lane. Each intersection includes opportunities for outdoor seating, public art, views of the lake, or bike parking.
The Great Streets plan is for long-term sustainability and transforming our streets into dynamic public spaces, while ensuring that renovations and improvements can be responsibly maintained for decades to come.
The Main Street plan includes the following elements on each side of the street:
WIDER SIDEWALKS
(some of which may be used by adjacent businesses for outdoor seating or signage), with an 8-foot tree belt, a protected bike lane, a buffer between the bike lane and parked cars for parking meters and light poles, and parallel parking.
RE-BALANCE
A new balance of space use within the Main Street right-of-way. Today, 50-75% of the space between buildings is dedicated to driving and parking cars. In the concept plan, 60% of this space is used for non-vehicular purposes.
DIAGONAL TO PARALLEL
Conversion will maintain on-street parking spaces (and parking on every block), and allows Main Street to serve all of the needs of a vibrant public right-of-way.
MORE FLEXIBLE SPACES
Dedicated spaces that can be used for bike parking, outdoor café seating, public art or other uses, including a small deck with an information kiosk, seating that showcases breath-taking views of the lake, and lighting.
WATER COLLECTION
Stormwater improvements, rain gardens, and tree wells to infiltrate runoff where appropriate or detain/delay water into the collection system.
The Great Streets Design & Construction Standards
will guide the rebuilding of our streets according to four values articulated by the residents of Burlington through many planning initiatives:
- Walkable and bikeable – safe for all modes and all levels of accessibility
- Sustainable – both environmentally
sustainable, and long-lasting - Vibrant – to support the downtown’s diverse range of public and private activities
- Functional – works for all users, flexible, can be maintained, affordable
Learn more about the Great Streets Design & Construction Standards
Main Street – Intersection Study
As part of the City’s due diligence, the Design Consultant has evaluated whether the intersections within the project corridor should be controlled by traffic signals as they are currently, or if they should be converted to roundabouts.
