Road Work | Aug. 19-23
August 21, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout Duxbury
Camel’s Hump Road | Aug. 21 update
Duxbury town officials announced on Tuesday afternoon that repairs to Bridge 41 (at Marshall Road) on Camels Hump Road are almost complete. As of Wednesday, Aug. 21, travel is now open with no weight restrictions due to the bridge.
“Work will continue on Wednesday as the contractor retrieves concrete blocks that were used to armor/protect the bridge abutment and were washed down the brook as a result of the flood waters from the storm. Please exercise caution and slow down when traveling through the area on Wednesday for the safety of the contractor's crew,” the announcement notes.
The next phase of work in the area will be on the upper section of Camel’s Hump Road which is now anticipated to begin on Monday, Aug. 26. Some equipment may be mobilized to the site at the end of this week. An end date is not estimated for that project yet. Until that work is completed, Camel’s Hump Road above Scrabble Hill Road will remain closed for all non-resident traffic, town officials said.
August 19, 2024Duxbury town officials sent out a road work update this weekend with an emphasis on repairs taking place on Camel’s Hump Road. 
File photo.
“Work continues to pull town roads back together,” Selectboard Chair Richard Charland wrote, referring to the repairs since the July 10-11 storm and flash flooding that severely damaged many town gravel roads.
Due to high water levels in Ridley Brook, work is taking longer than planned. Repairs to the abutment on Bridge 41 originally scheduled to be finished last week still need a few more days. That is expected to wrap up this week, Charland said.
That work involves retrieving and putting back into place the concrete blocks used to armor the abutments but were washed downstream in July, he explained. Other areas along the road leading to the bridge need attention. “We ask your patience as we will get to them,” he said.
Also, the bridge repairs were critical to scheduling the work needed on the upper section of Camel’s Hump Road above the intersection with Scrabble Hill Road. The road weight limit has been lowered during the bridge work and that’s prevented getting heavy equipment and large stone in place for work on the slide in the upper section. Once the bridge is completed, that project will proceed. Charland said they hope to start the road repair on Monday, Aug. 26.
Driveway culverts
At its last meeting, the Selectboard discussed damage to driveway culverts as a result of the July storm. The town policy is that property owners are responsible for the installation, replacement and maintenance of these culverts. Financial compensation for addressing those damaged would be covered under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Disaster Aid program. Property owners would need to apply for that assistance. The state of Vermont has requested a disaster declaration from the federal government which would make such aid available. That decision has not been announced yet. “We will monitor this and forward any information we receive as soon as possible,” Charland wrote to town residents.
The Selectboard also is reviewing the town Curb Cut Policy and will discuss any updates to that at its next meeting.
Road crew position
A member of the Duxbury town road crew was injured on the job recently, is scheduled for surgery later this month, and will be unable to work. The Selectboard will advertise to fill the position. Anyone interested should contact the town office.
Waterbury
In Waterbury this week, multiple projects will be underway, according to Public Works Director Bill Woodruff:
Work on the Guptil Road bridge near the intersection with Kneeland Flats Road will resume on Wednesday.
A water and sewer line installation is scheduled on Lincoln Street for Wednesday. That will mean limiting access to one-way traffic while work is taking place. Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible as there may be delays. This project is expected to take one day.
Resurfacing work will continue on Sweet Road.
Repairs are planned for Gregg Hill Road and Shaw Mansion Road with sections closed due to culvert damage from the July storm. Neither of these have been scheduled yet.