Island Line Updates

Champlain Islands Trail Report
In February 2005, Islands stakeholders completed the Champlain Islands Trail Report to evaluate on- and off-road options between the existing Island Line Trail to the south and Quebec's Route Verte to the north. The study was managed by the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce and overseen by the Island Line Steering Committee. The projected completion date is February 2005. Download the current version of the report below. For info, contact Brian Costello.

Right Click or Control Click a link below to download one of two versions of the report :

Champlain Islands Trail Report (Low Resolution PDF, 1.5 MB)
Champlain Islands Trail Report (High Resolution PDF, 5 MB)

South Street Shoulder Improvements
A two-year planning process completed in 2004 determined that 3-foot shoulders should be added to South Street in order to make it safe for bicyclists and pedestrians. The South Hero Selectboard has requested that regular daily ferry service not start until the shoulders are added to the roadway. South Street is the connection between the causeway and the village center. While voters approved $120,000 in local funds for the improvement project, over $800,000 still needs to be raised. Our projections are that this project will take about 5 years to complete. For more info, contact South Hero Administrative Officer Don Smallwood.

South Hero Village to Allen Point Access Linkage Feasibility and Alignment Study - June 2004

The Feasibility and Alignment study for South Street is available to download. Right Click or Control Click a link below to download the full report or text only.

Text Only (PDF, 3.08 MB)

Full Report (PDF, 19.2 MB)

Allen Point Trail Ferry Development
Local Motion continues development work on the Allen Point Bike Ferry. A federal earmark secured by Congressman Sanders is funding the planning and engineering for the permanent service. Early this year, Local Motion hired consultant Lamoureux & Dickinson to serve as the project manager. They will guide this project through the design, permitting and construction stages. Local Motion hopes to continue its popular demonstration ferry service on August weekends for 2005, but the service is contingent on raising $50,000 for new docks.   For more info, contact Brian Costello.

Island Line Signage & Amenities Plan
To help tie individual path sections together into a regional trail, stakeholders have contracted with Landworks to develop a comprehensive sign and amenity plan for the trail.  Products from this study include a trail logo, design of a comprehensive sign system, and identification of needed amenities (water fountains, parking, bathrooms, etc) along the trail.  As this trail becomes more popular, clear signage and well-placed amenities will ensure the trail offers a safe and enjoyable experience to the growing number of trail users.  For info, contact Peter Keating.

Right Click or Control Click the link below to download the plan:

Island Line Sign & Amenity Plan (10.1 MB)

Winooski River Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge
The trail bridge and boardwalk are were completed and opened in June 2004!  This linkage will transform the local Burlington Bike Path and Colchester Causeway Trail into a regional 12-mile Island Line trail.  VTrans, Burlington and Colchester have done a great job bringing this challenging project to fruition.  For the most recent info and photos on the Winooski River bridge, go to our bridge page.

Burlington Bike Path Rehabilitation Study
The City of Burlington is proposing substantial upgrades to its popular and often congested waterfront bike path. Improvements include trail widening in high-use areas, removing safety hazards, and providing gravel shoulders for joggers when feasible. Sections of the Burlington path are now 20 years old. For a copy of the report, contact Connie Livingston, Burlington's Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator. The City is now working to secure funding for the improvements.

Champlain Path Feasibility Study
In 2003, stakeholders completed a plan for extending the trail south to South Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte.  Much of the proposed path alignment parallels the active rail line – a “rail-with-trail” approach.  The estimated project cost for the entire 13-mile stretch was $6 million.  For a copy of the report, contact Christine Forde at the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Development of the Island Line into a regional world-class trail offers many benefits to the local communities:

Economic Benefits:

A 2002 report by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Champlain team indicated that the trail’s economic impact was $1.5 million per year – with a much greater benefit once key upgrades such as the bridge and a ferry across the cut are completed.  At that point, the report concluded the trail would be “world-class.” (Source: Island Line Trail: Analysis of Economic Impact, Leadership Champlain, 2002)

With the future connection to the islands, Lake Champlain Bikeways can market this spectacular off-road route between the orchards and vineyards of the islands and Burlington’s vibrant waterfront to a growing number of activity-oriented baby boomers.

Recent on-path surveys indicate that 20% of trail users are from more than 50 miles away – demonstrating that this trail is an emerging regional attraction and benefits local hospitality, restaurant and related industries. 

Health Benefits:

Multi-use trails are safe places for residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy a wide range of low-impact exercise.  6% of all Vermont residents live within a mile of this trail.

Vermont is facing an obesity epidemic with 26% of VT children now overweight.  (Source: Governor Douglas’ Fit & Healthy Kids Initiative fact sheet)

The Governor’s health initiative goes on to report that “There are fewer opportunities for physical activity in schools and, more often than not, young people are driven to activities rather than walking or biking to get there.”

Social Benefits:

Trails are well-loved linear parks – public spaces where friends and strangers meet, where families enjoy quality time together, and people of all backgrounds come to unwind and relax. 

The trail hosts an estimated 150,000 visitors every year.