Construction Underway on South Burlington Walk-Bike Bridge Over I-89

A $27 Million Lifeline Takes Shape: Walk-Bike Bridge Rises Over I-89

After decades of crossing a dangerous and disjointed area, the people of South Burlington and Burlington are watching a long-awaited solution rise from the ground. Construction on the new Walk-Bike Bridge over Interstate 89 at Exit 14 is advancing, with crews now focused on foundational work like placing mechanically stabilized earth walls and installing pier footings. The project, which began in late July 2026, represents a massive investment in connecting communities on foot and by bike, funded by a significant federal grant and local commitment.

The stakes are highest for anyone who has ever tried to walk or bike between Williston Road and University Mall. Right now, that journey means darting across the busy on-ramps and off-ramps of Exit 14—a stretch of road made all more perilous by the approaching winter, with shorter days and reduced visibility. The new bridge is designed to pull pedestrians completely away from this traffic, a move South Burlington Deputy Fire Chief John Christman says will have a clear impact on safety.

Construction begins on South Burlington's $20M walk and bike bridge

“The whole point of the bridge is to pull pedestrians away from the road and cars. So if you’re asking if it will increase road safety, absolutely,” Christman said.

This isn’t just a local project; it’s a story of federal and local collaboration coming to fruition. The roughly $27 million price tag is a mix of funding sources, but it was a major federal grant that truly got the project off the ground. In November 2021, the City of South Burlington received a notice of a RAISE grant from the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Transportation for $9.76 million. This initial funding was crucial, allowing the city to move forward with design work. Later, the city secured an additional federal grant of $8,094,234, according to official city documents. The local share was approved by voters at the March 2023 Town Meeting Day, who approved using Tax Increment Financing to provide the required local matching funds.

A Two-Phase Plan to Connect a Fragmented City

The construction is happening in two distinct phases, each with a clear purpose. Phase I, which is currently underway with a contract awarded to Engineers Construction Inc., focuses on building the bridge itself and the critical connections to Williston Road and the University Mall property. This phase is expected to open to the public in late 2028. The work involves more than just pouring concrete; it includes complex tasks like removing ledge within the right-of-way and carefully forming and pouring the abutment backwalls on both the west (Staples Plaza) and east (University Mall) sides of the project.

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Phase II, which has not yet had its contracts awarded, will build on this foundation. It includes the Quarry Hill Connection and a shared-use path that will ultimately link the bridge to the existing path on Dorset Street by way of Williston Road, wrapping around the CVS site. This phase also incorporates thoughtful features called “pause places”—paved areas with benches at key intersections—to create comfortable rest stops for walkers and cyclists. The city’s vision is to connect South Burlington’s fragmented path system, creating a continuous network for people to travel from the growing city center to downtown Burlington and beyond without a car.

The Human Impact: More Than Concrete and Steel

For residents like Oumar Haidara, who has lived in the Burlington area for almost seven years, the bridge is a welcome piece of infrastructure that feels familiar. He sees it as a direct link to venues like Higher Ground in South Burlington.

South Burlington breaks ground on I-89 pedestrian bridge

“I’m pretty positive about something like that. It reminds me of my cities back home. In Connecticut, there’s a lot of overpass bridges where people can walk. It’s pretty cool,” Haidara said.

Haveleh Gagne, chair of the South Burlington Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, sees an even broader impact. She believes the bridge will directly address the struggle of rising gas prices and the cost of living by providing a reliable, free alternative to motor vehicle transportation. While the bridge itself will be maintained by the city year-round and include nighttime illumination for safety, Gagne emphasizes that it is just one piece of a larger puzzle.

“South Burlington has a fragmented path system right now. That is one of the biggest areas where we are missing a link but we have a lot of other links that are going to be built in the next few years,” Gagne said.

South Burlington gets ready to start work on pedestrian bridge

Crews Installing Bridge Foundations

As the project moves forward, the construction itself brings its own set of challenges for commuters. According to an update from the city, motorists should expect daily lane closures at the I-89 Exit 14 Interchange. Both northbound and southbound lanes will be affected between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. These closures are necessary for crews to safely install the bridge’s foundational elements. Drivers are also advised that a separate construction project on I-89 north of the Walk-Bike Bridge work zone may require additional lane closures, adding to the complexity of traveling through the area.

Despite the present-day disruptions, the long-term vision remains clear. When completed in 2028, the Walk-Bike Bridge will be more than just a new structure; it will be a lifeline. It will connect two sides of a city that have long felt divided, offer a safer route for children walking to school, and provide a scenic and practical path for commuters, shoppers, and community members. For decades, the gap at Exit 14 was a problem to be endured. Now, it’s a gap being actively closed, piece by piece, with a future that promises to be a little brighter—and a lot safer—for everyone who walks or rolls through South Burlington.