HARDWICk – Less than a month into installation of traffic lights guiding drivers through Hardwick’s one-lane Main Street, downtown businesses are adjusting to the construction and making plans to weather the construction that’s planned to affect traffic into the summer.
artist’s rendering courtesy Town of Hardwick
The retaining wall replacement between the Village Restaurant and the former swinging bridge over the Lamoille River that was damaged by the 2023/24 flooding and replacement of the bridge abutment on the South Main Street side are well underway. While construction is expected to take four months, Main Street will be reopened to two lanes before all of the work is finished, reports the town.
artist’s rendering courtesy Town of Hardwick
Work will then move to the Daniels Block side of the river to construct a bridge abutment in preparation for the arrival of the new pedestrian bridge, reconnecting the neighborhoods and businesses for parking and daily access for pedestrians and cyclists looping around from the LVRT.
“It has been fascinating to watch the projects from my window at Whistle Emporium,” said the store’s owner and Hardwick Select Board member. “I find myself reflecting on that afternoon back in September of 2020 when the cable snapped on our beloved Swinging Bridge. Nearly six years and hundreds of meetings [sic] later I am thrilled that we are going to be able to gather downtown later this year to celebrate the new pedestrian bridge.”
“In the meantime, Downtown Hardwick remains Open for Business,” she said.
In the first week after the traffic lights were installed, Town Manager David Upson worked with interested parties to adjust timing of the lights to accommodate circumstances that included the elementary school’s schedule and rush hour traffic patterns. He reported the wait was down to two minutes, though onlookers have reported rush hour traffic sometimes required several light cycles to pass through the work area.
Visitors to the redesigned park created by reconstruction of the Main Street retaining wall and pedestrian bridge will be able to sit and enjoy the view across the Lamoille River. The section of the wrought iron railing made by Lucien Avery, removed during construction, will be replaced on the new retaining wall.
artist’s rendering courtesy Town of Hardwick
A speed calming radar sign on West Church Street was installed, though residents there continue to report a considerable increase in the amount and speed of traffic through the area.
Those attempting to avoid the construction have caused issues of their own and, much like “stuckage” situations on Rte. 100 through Smuggler’s Notch, a log truck was seen to be stuck turning onto Highland Avenue from West Church Street to avoid the Cottage Street Bridge, March 23, according to an area resident.
The town and Hardwick Downtown Partnership (HDP) are working to provide additional signage and support through this project, said Cornish. “HDP is working with downtown business and property owners to develop parking alternatives for staff in an effort to leave the downtown parking for visitors and customers.
Owners at the Clip Joint and Nikki the Barber have said the traffic lights don’t seem to have affected their business at all, and may even have helped it as more drivers are stopped and able to learn about the area instead of driving past.
A creative partnership between the Galaxy Bookshop and Jeudevine Memorial Library has bookstore customers buying gift certificates and donating them to the library to facilitate the purchase of books for the library. Customers can stop at the bookstore, call or order gift certificates online to avoid finding parking spots downtown, said the bookstore’s Andrea Jones.
There’s no remote option to eat at the Village Restaurant, though take-out is always available. There, a Facebook post on March 23 reported, “Downtown Hardwick construction continues, snow continues and we continue! We are open 7 days a week 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.” Proprietor Lynn Delericheliere says, “less than a month into construction, business seems about normal and I’m trying to stay positive.”
An informational meeting for downtown businesses, property owners and representatives of the town has been scheduled for March 25 to get together and discuss more ideas and ask additional questions, March 25.
Next to the construction area, bordering the Lamoille River, the former home of The Hardwick Gazette and The Civic Standard at 42 Main Street stands empty.”
Cornish has taken the lead on a project to preserve the building. Called FOCUS42, she is working with the Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) and preparing a proposal the Civic Standard requires, on or before April 1st.
“Our first priority will be to pick up where the process left off over six months ago and engage Engineering Ventures PC to further investigate the foundation armoring and stabilization vs. planning, designing, engineering and related preparatory work for a new wet flood proof foundation,” she said.
Twelve people have expressed interest in joining the FOCUS 42 team and $2,500 has already been donated to support the work, she added. “If the Civic Standard accepts our RFP, the historic property will be removed from the FEMA buyout list and FOCUS 42 volunteers will begin a more active fundraising campaign that will further subsidize our projects.”
Plans that will give a different look to Springfest are in the works according to Downtown Partnership social media post, March 22.
Cornish said HDP will continue to post updates and information about the downtown construction on its website at hardwickdowntown.org and to followers on its Instagram and Facebook pages.
