After having started as a research project conducted by three Middlebury College students, the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and the Walk-Bike Council of Addison County have picked up the ball and continued on with the creation of a designated route between Addison County's three main towns of Middlebury, Bristol, and Vergennes.
When completed, the bike loop will provide a safe and enjoyable rider experience, increase connectivity between communities along the route (New Haven, Waltham, Weybridge, Ferrisburgh), and establish a sustainable and valued recreation resource. Route planners are interested in the perspective of cyclists of all abilities, drivers, walkers and joggers.
In addition, based upon results from other similar efforts across the country, the Council and the Regional Planning Commission believe that this designated route also can become an economic development tool in terms of bringing tourism to the county and attracting new residents to the area.
The town of New Haven, with assistance from the City of Vergennes received a Municipal Planning Grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to fund the project. The SE Group (an engineering firm from the Burlington, VT area) was contracted to develop the plan, and they have created a website:
Triangle Bike Loop Master Plan Website
In addition, there is a draft of an overall planning document available: Draft Triangle Bike Loop Plan
PLEASE NOTE: We are looking for as much public input as we can get, and we'd greatly appreciate it if you would be willing to take a short survey with your thoughts on this project. There are only three questions and it's available online:
Triangle Bike Loop public input survey
Thanks in advance for taking the survey!
Click the image above for a larger version of the proposed route map.