Site work for a mixed-use development in Rutland, Vermont. Conceptual plans call for site work for a transportation facility.

The City of Rutland is requesting proposals for engineering services for a project to construct comprehensive upgrades to the area surrounding the Rutland Train Station to create a regional, multi-modal transportation hub funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and the City of Rutland, through the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Municipal Assistance Section (MAS). The project is managed locally by Steffanie Bourque, Municipal Project Manager. The owner of the project is the City and the ultimate authority for the design engineering consultant during the project rests with the Rutland City Mayor, through its Municipal Project Manager. The City of Rutland has entered into an agreement with the Vermont Agency of Transportation to develop a project to revitalize the area surrounding the Train Station in downtown Rutland. The revitalization project will create a regional, multi-modal transportation hub, supporting the Ethan Allen passenger rail extension to Burlington, by 1) expanding parking, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian amenities; 2) improving bicycle/pedestrian safety; and 3) enhancing the gateways aesthetics and traffic safety with green stormwater infrastructure and landscaping. The Train Station has no direct pedestrian connections, experiences unsafe driving, and lacks any public transit connections. To address these needs, the proposed project will include: 1) New sidewalk from the Train Station to Evelyn Street, including crosswalk connection(s) to the existing Downtown and Plaza pedestrian network; 2) Added curbed green buffers; 3) Expanded lighting and fencing; 4) New bus shelter and bicycle parking; and 5) Possible conversion of Evelyn Street to one-way access. The concept for this project was highlighted as a transportation priority in the 2020 Downtown Rutland Strategic Plan. An extensive planning and review process to develop a conceptual design (see attached) was completed in 2021 with stakeholders from VTrans, Vermont Rail Systems, Amtrak, Marble Valley Regional Transit District, Brixmor Property Group, and Rutland City. Note that in the fall of 2022, a 12-foot sculpture of a locomotive was installed within the project limits, which is not shown on the attached 2021 conceptual design. This project is funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Accordingly, all aspects of project development, from developing a purpose and need statement to constructing the project, must conform to federal and state regulations. In general, the scope of this project will consist of an abbreviated scoping phase, building on the work completed in 2021, and the development of Conceptual Plans through Contract Plans, Specifications and Estimates. The design phase will follow the development process used by the VTrans Municipal Assistance Section as follows: Project kick-off and development of conceptual plans. Submission of documentation and plans for NEPA process. Development of preliminary plans. Develop Right of Way (ROW) plans, if necessary, and assist with ROW documents. Develop contract plans, technical specifications, final engineers estimate and bid documents and assist with the bidding process. Assistance during construction. The method of contractor selection has not been determined at this time. As of January 31, 2023, the due date and time has been confirmed with the owner.