The Jug Handle Sidewalk project was originally part of a 2017 scoping study that looked at bicycle and pedestrian gaps along Spear Street, beginning at the UVM Athletic facility and running north towards Route 2/Main Street. This analysis included the Jug Handle connection between Spear Street and East Terrace. The study looked at possible alternatives for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and incorporated public feedback from various workshops, presentations, and meetings. At the end of the study, the City received a report with the recommended alternatives, the preferred alternative, estimated construction costs, potential resource impacts, and permit requirements.
At the beginning of 2019, the City initiated a design for the Jug Handle Sidewalk portion of the original scoping study, which lies on UVM land. Throughout the design process, the design itself was reviewed by City staff, UVM representatives, and the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. In September of 2019, the City reached an agreement with UVM to construct a sidewalk on their property, and the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a license agreement with UVM.
Construction of the sidewalk and the installation of bollard lighting was completed in November 2020. There is still lighting work to complete and additional landscaping to install. This work will be done in the spring of 2021. This project was funded by the City’s Penny for Paths initiative, a funding initiative approved by voters in August of 2018 to help pay for projects that close gaps in City bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. As partners on this project, UVM did provide the bollard lighting that has been installed along the sidewalk.
The sidewalk is already getting used by students and residents alike. We hope you will go check it out for yourself.
For more information: http://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/residents/penny_for_paths_project_updates.php