Construction Update

Colchester Exit 17 Project

Colchester NH 028-1(31) [National Highway]

DATE: Thursday, November 21, 2024

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to weather conditions, the Interstate 89 (I-89) northbound and southbound lanes at the Exit 17 interchange will not be closed tonight, Thursday, November 21, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as originally scheduled. This work has been postponed to next week.

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, crews will be out of the roadway by noon on Wednesday, November 27, until Monday, December 2, at 7 a.m. 

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Sunday, November 24, at 8 p.m. to Tuesday, November 26, at 6 a.m., I-89 southbound will be closed, with traffic maintained via a detour route from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night. I-89 northbound will have a single-lane reduction, with I-89 northbound traffic maintained via one lane on the interstate. The existing U.S. Route 2 (U.S. 2) bridge over I-89 will remain open to two lanes of traffic with the potential for a single-lane reduction.

Temporary traffic control signage and portable changeable message boards are installed along the I-89 southbound detour route to guide travelers. Southbound traffic on I-89 will be directed to exit the interstate at Exit 17, turn left onto U.S. 2., and immediately re-enter I-89 using the southbound on-ramp at the Exit 17 interchange, as shown in the graphic below.

The I-89 northbound off-ramp slip lane to U.S. 2 westbound will remain closed 24/7 for bridge construction. Motorists can turn right or left onto U.S. 2 at the signalized intersection.

From Monday, November 25, at 6 a.m. through Wednesday, November 27, at 12 p.m., there is potential for Interstate 89 (I-89) to be intermittently reduced to a single lane in both directions near Exit 17 during daytime off-peak hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on I-89 northbound and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on I-89 southbound.



Motorists should slow down, use caution, and pay attention to flaggers and road signage while traveling through the work zone.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: On Sunday and Monday night, crews will finish tightening the bolts connecting the structural steel girders for the new U.S. 2 bridge over I-89. There is potential for this work to extend into daytime hours on Monday through Wednesday, under single-lane closures.

Crews install structural steel girders for the new U.S. 2 bridge over I-89 in Colchester, VT. 

LOCATION: The segment of U.S. 2, starting just east of Jasper Mine Road and extending just under a half mile east to its intersection with U.S. 7 at Chimney Corner. The segment of U.S. 7, starting just south of the Shell Gas Station/Simon’s Chimney Corner Store and extending just over a half mile north to its intersection with Wiley Road. The Exit 17 interstate ramps and the portion of I-89 bounded by them. 

PROJECT COMPLETION: Summer 2026

CONTACT US:

24-Hour Project Hotline: 802-595-4399

Project Email: info@ColchesterExit17.com

The Colchester Exit 17 Project will be completed in six phases over three construction seasons, beginning in Spring 2024 and continuing through Summer 2026.