This report addresses continuing efforts by the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) to encourage transit-supportive land use within the Route 15 Corridor communities by extending the transit-supportive planning study to the Susie Wilson Road area in Essex.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) provides a more compact development pattern located within an easy walk of a fixed transit stop (bus or rail), with a mix of residential, employment and shopping opportunities. It focuses on pedestrian-oriented design and provides viable transportation alternatives for residents and workers via walking, bicycling, and transit.

CCMPO engaged DMJM+HARRIS and Basile, Bauman, Prost and Associates, Inc. (BBP Associates) to work with the communities of Winooski, Colchester, Essex and Essex Junction to help develop TOD concept plans for the areas surrounding the proposed passenger rail stations.

The purpose of this report is to present the institutional and financial strategy for implementing the Rt. 15 Corridor Improvement Plan, including the Burlington to Essex Rail Project, and to address the larger transit funding and institutional issues that are raised by the plan.

The purpose of the study is to determine the corridor’s performance with a coordinated signal system. In addition, this study identifies opportunities and constraints for improving intersection and corridor performance. To evaluate performance a model was developed and calibrated through field observations.

This report has been prepared to support the Environmental Assessment and Schematic Engineering Phase of the Burlington – Essex Rail Project for CCMPO and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). The Burlington Rail Tunnel is located at milepost 1.15 on the Winooski branch of the New England Central Railroad (NECR) line and is an integral component of the rail line. The objectives of this phase of engineering are to: 1. Perform a visual assessment and evaluate structural integrity. 2. Review the applicable codes and regulations to determine the areas where the tunnel is considered to be substandard to support passenger rail service. 3. Identify the level of remediation required. 4. Develop alternatives to address the structural condition of the tunnel. 5. Prepare estimates of probable construction cost of alternatives.

The Burlington-Essex Corridor Alternative Analysis Phase 1A Report recommended a multi-modal solution that included commuter rail, feeder bus service, and intersection improvements on Route 15 that was accepted by the CCMPO Board on September 26, 2001. The CCMPO Board formally approved the addition of the Route 15 Corridor Improvement Plan to the Chittenden County Long-Range Transportation Plan on March 20, 2002. The corridor plan serves as an “umbrella” for a number of proposed improvements within the Route 15 corridor and includes the Burlington-Essex Rail Project, along with highway and bike path improvements among others.