South Burlington’s East-West crossing project targets late 2028 opening

South Burlington has advanced Phase I of the East-West Alternative Transportation Crossing at I-89 Exit 14, a planned bicycle-and-pedestrian connection that includes a bridge over the interstate. The city’s published target is to open this phase in late 2028.

The project remains a phased undertaking. A 2026 City Council agenda item sought authorization to award the Phase I construction contract, and the approved source packet says South Burlington awarded that contract in 2026, subject to the conditions stated in the agenda.

Bridge and connecting facilities

The Vermont Agency of Transportation identifies the work as the East-West Alternative Transportation Crossing at I-89 Exit 14 in South Burlington. Its project factsheet says the work includes the design and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and a bridge over I-89.

South Burlington says the relevant phase includes building the bridge and connections to Williston Road and the University Mall. The planned crossing is intended to provide a separated east-west route across the interstate for people walking and biking, linking those destinations with surrounding neighborhoods.

That planned separation is central to the project’s purpose: I-89 divides the areas on either side of Exit 14, while the crossing is designed specifically for bicycle and pedestrian travel. The available official materials describe the bridge and its connecting facilities, rather than a new vehicle crossing.

Where the project stands

The council agenda identifies the work as South Burlington RAIZ(1) Phase I and describes a competitive bidding process. The city’s contract action is an advancement in the project process, but the available packet does not establish that the entire crossing program is complete, open or fully under construction.

Likewise, late 2028 is a scheduled opening target for the identified phase, not a guaranteed completion date. The target should not be read as a completion date for the full regional transportation program.

VTrans’ factsheet was updated July 26, 2026. The City of South Burlington’s project information, published Aug. 3, 2026, lists the late-2028 opening schedule for the bridge-and-connection phase.

Costs and next milestone

The reviewed official materials do not provide an awarded contract amount, a total project cost, funding sources or a current construction percentage. They also do not identify construction-related road closures or other confirmed service effects.

The next known milestone in the available materials is the planned late-2028 opening of Phase I. Until further project notices are issued, the confirmed public information is that the city and VTrans have advanced a phased crossing project intended to connect Williston Road, the University Mall and nearby areas across I-89.