Champlain Parkway Connection Nears Completion in Burlington

After decades of planning, the long-awaited roadway project is set to open this summer.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic orange road construction cone repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the vibrant energy and progress of the Champlain Parkway project in a modern pop art style.A pop art celebration of the long-awaited completion of Burlington's Champlain Parkway project.Burlington Today

The Champlain Parkway project in Burlington, Vermont is nearing completion after years of construction. The major roadway connection is expected to open in June or July 2026, unlocking new opportunities for housing development and providing improved multi-modal transportation options for the city.

Why it matters

The Champlain Parkway has been in the works for decades, and its completion will help alleviate traffic congestion on nearby Shelburne Road while also improving access to the area and reducing phosphorus runoff into Lake Champlain.

The details

According to Burlington's public works director Chapin Spencer, the final touches on the Champlain Parkway include installing overhead signage, finishing curbs and on-ramps, striping the road, and completing traffic signals. Once finished, the new roadway will feature mid-block crosswalks, shared-use paths, and stormwater management features to better protect the nearby lake.

  • Construction on the Champlain Parkway resumed last week after a pause.
  • The roadway is expected to officially open in June or July 2026.
  • The project has been in development for decades in Burlington.

The players

Chapin Spencer

The public works director for the city of Burlington, overseeing the completion of the Champlain Parkway project.

Tony Shaw

A Burlington resident who has lived near the Champlain Parkway construction site for over two years.

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What they’re saying

“I've been looking at it my entire life, wondering if they're going to do it or not do it.”

— Tony Shaw, Burlington Resident

“It will unlock a lot of opportunities for housing development in the city and we all know that's a priority, and it will provide multi-modal accommodations.”

— Chapin Spencer, Public Works Director, City of Burlington

What’s next

The Department of Public Works says that as the Champlain Parkway project wraps up, there may be some short-term road closures or lane deviations to allow crews to safely finish the remaining work.

The takeaway

The long-awaited completion of the Champlain Parkway will be a major milestone for Burlington, providing new transportation options, supporting housing development, and helping to protect the nearby Lake Champlain through improved stormwater management.