The Bennington Bypass is divided into three major segments. The Western Segment is constructed and was opened to traffic in October of 2004; the Northern Segment began construction in 2007; the Southern Segment is in the conceptual design stage with no official construction schedule. The alignment of the new highway was selected, in part, to minimize environmental impacts. Wildlife crossings, a separate amphibian mitigation site and a separate wetland mitigation site have been implemented to offset potential impacts that the construction of the highway may have on the environment. 

                                    WETLAND MITIGATION SITE

 The Wetland Mitigation Site, constructed as part of the Western Segment, was built to mitigate anticipated wetland impacts for all three segments of the initial (two-lane) Bypass. The mitigation site, located on the east side of Bennington, is called the Barney Brook Wetland Mitigation Site. It is 26.5 acres in size and is intended to mitigate for approximately 15.2 acres of impact for the entire project. The site was constructed in 2000 and in 2001a five-year monitoring effort began. Since its creation, the site continues to flourish. Annual inspections have indicated that the site is well-stabilized and vegetated. Along with well established vegetation, various species of wildlife have been observed at the site. Some of the species witnessed include: beaver, red-winged blackbirds, green frogs, bull frogs, leopard frogs, mallards, song sparrows, warblers, a green-backed heron, tree swallows, a great-blue heron, Canadian geese. Deer tracks have also been observed.  The five year monitoring period was completed in 2005. The report concluded that the wetland was fully established and functioning as intended.

Wildlife crossings were also incorporated into the design and construction of the Western Segment. This was accomplished by lengthening two of the bridge structures over streams to allow the passage of wildlife without having to compete with vehicular traffic on the road above.   In conjunction with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, VAOT is conducting a wildlife crossing study in the vicinity of the bypass to gauge the effectiveness of these structures.  The goal is to evaluate how effective the lengthened bridge(s) act as wildlife passage structure(s) and applying this knowledge to future projects so that safety is increased for motorists and wildlife alike. Data collection has been completed and a report is being prepared by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

In the spring of 1995, a herpetological study of the Northern and Southern Segments identified areas of amphibian habitat along the highway alignment which would be impacted by construction. A man-made waterbody known as the Veteran’s Reservoir was recognized as an amphibian habitat (specifically, as reproduction habitat for ambystomid – a type of salamander). The reservoir was once used to supply water to the Veteran’s Home, but its use was discontinued, and the reservoir and outlet structure fell into disrepair. Due to the pending impacts on the reservoir by the highway, it was agreed to by VAOT, FHWA and the various resource agencies to mitigate impacted amphibian habitat at the Veteran’s Reservoir. The mitigation area is being constructed as part of the second contract of the Northern Segment which began construction in April 2008 and will contain approximate 0.3 acres of wetland and will include repairs to the outlet structure.

For more information contact:

James Harris
Project Manager
123 Phyllis Lane
Bennington, VT  05201

Phone:  (802) 447- 6425
Fax:       (802) 447-2713
E-mail:  James.Harris@state.vt.us