By Peggy Zimmer
Vehicular speed and traffic through the center of Westmore on Vermont Route 5A have become increasingly dangerous as the popularity of our beautiful area has grown. The community meetings held two years ago in July made clear that one of the main concerns facing our town is the need for a safer path through the center of town. Because the road is a state highway, state approval is REQUIRED for any changes, improvements, or traffic calming measures.
A safer path through the center of town on Route 5A is absolutely necessary and is an obtainable goal if we all work together.
The Westmore RAMP (Recreation Access Management Planning) group, in partnership with the Westmore Association and NVDA (Northeastern Vermont Development Association) and with guidance from VCRD (Vermont Council on Rural Development), has received a $50K scoping study grant from the VTrans (Vermont Agency of Transportation) Transportation Alternatives Program. The engineering study will look at the alignment, opportunities, and challenges of the active transportation corridor running through the center of the Town of Westmore. Engineering specialists will present safety measures, and the community will discuss them.
The VTrans Grant has a 20% matching requirement that the RAMP team has been working hard to address. To date, with the help of our Ice-Out Competition, a $5000 grant from The NEK Fund from the Vermont Community Foundation and individual donations, we have raised almost $8500 of the required $10,000. A HUGE thank you to those who have donated and particularly to the Vermont Community Foundation! Next, we’ll select an engineering team to present clever, thoughtful ideas to make Route 5A safer for all modes of transportation.
A safer path through the center of town on Route 5A is absolutely necessary and is an obtainable goal if we all work together.
