Culvert collapse repair to finish Feb. 4
HOOSICK FALLS — Repairs to a washed-out culvert should be completed by the end of next week, allowing the state to reopen a portion of Route 7 that’s been closed since the culvert collapsed two weeks ago, according to the Department of Transportation.
DOT and state contractors have worked continuously since the Jan. 13 collapse and a spokesman for the agency said late Thursday the work should be complete by Feb. 4, barring unforeseen trouble from winter weather.
The collapse of the culvert at the Hoosic River closed Route 7 between Route 22 and South Street/route 95. That portion of Route 7 connects eastern Rensselaer County to Vermont. The section is well-used by local travelers and it is a popular way for skiers to get to resorts in the
southern and central portion of Vermont. Detours have been in place since soon after the collapse.
Chunks of the damaged pipe
and surrounding soil were removed by last week. DOT says the final components of the new culvert should be lowered into place in the coming days.
Once that task is complete, crews will fill in the area around the culvert and repair the road surface above, DOT says.
Detours heading east
Car traffic: Passenger cars will take a right onto Route 22 south, continue for 2.3 miles and take a left on Route 346 East. After a half-mile, take a left onto County Route 95. After a quarter-mile, take a left to continue on County Route 95. After 2.7 miles the detour ends back at Route 7.
Truck traffic: Trucks will take a right onto Route 22 south, continue for 2.3 miles and take a left onto Route 346 east where they will continue for 7 miles until they reach Route 7, at which time they will take a left heading north. After 9 miles arrive at Vermont Route 9 in the city of Bennington and the detour ends. Route 9 is the continuation of Route 7.
Detours heading west
Car detour: Passenger cars will take a left onto County Route 95 and after 1.6 miles bear right to continue on County Route 95. After another mile, take a right to stay on County Route 95. After a quarter-mile from there, a right to Route 346 West, then after a half-mile, take another right onto U.S. Route 22 North and continue for 2.3 miles until the detour ends back at State Route 7.
Truck detour: Trucks will take Route 7 south through Bennington until they reach Vermont Route 346. Take a right onto Route 346 and continue for 7 miles. Then take a right onto Route 22 north and continue for 2.3 miles until the detour ends back at Route 7.