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ECI Recognized for Colchester-South Hero Emergency Causeway Repairs
The May 4th, 2018 storm that created high wind and waves on Lake Champlain caused significant damage to the causeway that connects Colchester Point to the southern tip of South Hero. Damage was so severe that Town officials closed the popular bicycling trail. The Causeway, served by a bike ferry to provide thru access, is a popular tourist and bicycling destination for the region, particularly in the summer tourist season. Soon after the damaging storm, Governor Phil Scott prioritized an effort to repair and reopen the Causeway in time for the July 4th holiday.
The project was bid on June 14th and Engineers Construction, Inc. (ECI) was the selected as the contractor to make the repairs. ECI mobilized on the first business day after the contract was awarded. In total, ECI placed over 3,500 tons of stone fill, crushed stone, and fine surface topping material. The challenges of the project included transporting the materials out onto the narrow one-lane 2 mile Causeway. From the Colchester end, dump trucks were able to back out and pass other trucks a few wider passing areas. From the South Hero end, the materials were reloaded into off-road rubber track dump trucks.
The work was completed by Friday June 29th just prior to the start of the July 4th week. The Causeway was officially reopened at a 1PM ceremony held at the Bike Ferry on the South Hero side. The ceremony was attended by Governor Phil Scott, Representative Missy Johnson, State Senator Dick Mazza, officials from both South Hero, Colchester, Vermont Agency of Transportation, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Local-Motion, ECI, and local cyclists.