Vermont Route 15
Encyclopedia
Vermont Route 15 is an east–west state highway
in northern Vermont
, United States
. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 7 in Winooski
and its eastern terminus is at US 2 in Danville
. It runs for 68.984 miles (111 km) and is known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
Its numbering originates from when it was part of New England Interstate Route 15 in the 1920s. Most of New England Route 15 is now U.S. Route 2
(from Danville, Vermont to Houlton, Maine
).
Vermont Route 15A is a spur route of VT 15 into the village of Morrisville
. VT 15A begins at VT 15 and ends at VT 100
.
at an intersection with Main Street (US 2 and US 7). It proceeds east for 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) to a partial interchange with I-89 (at Exit 15). Right after the I-89 junction, VT 15 enters the town of Colchester
, with the road becoming known as College Parkway. It runs for only 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in Colchester, passing by the Fort Ethan Allen
military installation before entering the village of Essex Junction
in the town of Essex
. In Essex Junction, the road is known as Pearl Street and continues for about two miles (3 km) to a five-way intersection with VT 2A and VT 117 at the village center, near the Essex Junction-Burlington
railroad station. It turns left onto Main Street at the village center and continues northeast out of the village for 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to a junction with the VT 289 expressway (at Exit 9). From there it continues east through Essex Center along Center Road and Jericho Road as it heads into the town of Jericho
, soon entering the village of Jericho
. As VT 15 continues past the village, it turns northward to enter the town of Underhill
. It runs for about eight miles (13 km) in a northerly direction through mostly rural areas in the towns of Underhill and Westford
before finally entering the town of Cambridge
.
After entering Cambridge town, VT 15 meets the eastern end of VT 104 then turns eastward and begins following the path of the Lamoille River
on its south bank. Half a mile later, VT 15 enters the village of Cambridge
then crosses the Lamoille River to follow the north bank instead. VT 15 continues eastward for another two miles (3 km) to the village of Jeffersonville
, crossing the Lamoille River again and intersecting with VT 108
in the center of the village. VT 15 continues northeast from the village for several miles, still following the Lamoille River, then turns sharply to the southeast with the river. VT 15 soon enters the town of Johnson
, continuing southeast for about three miles (5 km) until it reaches the village of Johnson
. In the center of the village, it has a junction with VT 100C
, a spur route from southbound VT 100 to westbound VT 15. VT 15 continues southeast for 2.5 miles (4 km) into the town of Hyde Park
. About 1.58 miles (2.5 km) beyond the town line, the road enters the village of Hyde Park
, where it is joined from the north by VT 100. The VT 15/VT 100 overlap continues for another mile into the town of Morristown
. Just north of the village of Morrisville
, VT 100 separates from VT 15 to head south into the village, while VT 15 continues east. About 1.6 miles (2.6 km) further, VT 15's spur route, VT 15A, splits from VT 15 heading southwest into Morrisville. VT 15 continues its eastward trek into the town of Wolcott
, running through mostly rural area for seven miles (11 km) through the town. It passes through the town center, before proceeding into the town of Hardwick
.
In the town of Hardwick VT 14 joins VT 15 from the north and the pair continues into the town center, where VT 14 separates to the south. VT 15 travels east, still following the Lamoille River, for another 2.4 miles (3.9 km) until the junction with VT 16. VT 16 takes over the Lamoille River route as it heads northeast while VT 15 continues southeast. VT 15 soon enters the town of Walden
and runs for about five miles (8 km) until it reaches the Walden town center. Past the town center, VT 15 turns sharply south towards Joe's Pond
in the town of Danville
. The road follows the north shore of Joe's Pond, turning from south to east until it ends at an intersection with U.S. Route 2
in the West Danville community.
Several of the most heavily trafficked sections of route 15 (such as the section between Morrisville and Cambridge, as well as between Jerico and Essex Center) are currently (June 2011) in very rough condition due to state and local road maintenance budget shortfalls and as well as recent harsh winters. Motorcycles in particular should take extra precautions.
states adopted a region-wide route marking system. Major inter-state routes were assigned numbers between 1 and 99. The east–west route beginning in Burlington, Vermont
, through Randolph, New Hampshire
and Bangor, Maine
, to Houlton, Maine
was designated as New England Route 15. Within the state of Vermont, Route 15 followed modern US 2/US 7 to Winooski
then modern VT 15 to Danville
then modern US 2 to Lunenburg, where it crossed into Lancaster, New Hampshire
. In late 1926, the U.S. Highway system was established nationwide and many of the New England inter-state routes became U.S. routes. In Maine and New Hampshire, U.S. Route 2
was designated on New England Route 15, continuing along Route 15 up to St. Johnsbury, Vermont
. However, between St. Johnsbury and Burlington, US 2 was initially designated on a more southerly alignment, first heading south to Wells River
, then northwest via Montpelier
to Burlington (US 2 was later relocated between St. Johnsbury and Montpelier). The section of old New England Route 15 in Vermont from St. Johnsbury to Burlington became Vermont Route 15. The Vermont state highway system was established in 1931, with the state officially taking control over maintenance of VT 15. The route was streamlined to remove the unnecessary overlaps at both its ends, truncating it to its modern Winooski to West Danville designation.
VT 15A (1.824 miles (2.9 km)) is a short spur state highway
located in Lamoille County serving as a connector from westbound VT 15 to Morrisville
and southbound VT 100. The western terminus is at Vermont Route 100
in the center of Morrisville and the eastern terminus is at VT 15 in Morristown
. VT 15A also intersects the northern terminus of Vermont Route 12
just east of VT 100.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in northern Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 7 in Winooski
Winooski, Vermont
Winooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
and its eastern terminus is at US 2 in Danville
Danville, Vermont
Danville is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. It was named for the 18th-century French cartographer Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville...
. It runs for 68.984 miles (111 km) and is known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
Its numbering originates from when it was part of New England Interstate Route 15 in the 1920s. Most of New England Route 15 is now U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
(from Danville, Vermont to Houlton, Maine
Houlton, Maine
Houlton is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, on the United States – Canada border, located at . As of the 2010 census, the town population was 6,123. It is perhaps best known as being at the northern terminus of Interstate 95 and for being the birthplace of Samantha Smith...
).
Vermont Route 15A is a spur route of VT 15 into the village of Morrisville
Morrisville, Vermont
Morrisville is a village in Morristown, Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,009. Morrisville has 2 country clubs, a hospital, a school featuring Greek architecture and an airport. The hospital and one of the country clubs are named after...
. VT 15A begins at VT 15 and ends at VT 100
Vermont Route 100
Vermont Route 100 is a north–south state highway in Vermont, United States. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is long...
.
Route description
VT 15 begins as East Allen Street in the center of WinooskiWinooski, Vermont
Winooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
at an intersection with Main Street (US 2 and US 7). It proceeds east for 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) to a partial interchange with I-89 (at Exit 15). Right after the I-89 junction, VT 15 enters the town of Colchester
Colchester, Vermont
Colchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
, with the road becoming known as College Parkway. It runs for only 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in Colchester, passing by the Fort Ethan Allen
Fort Ethan Allen
Fort Ethan Allen was a U.S. army installation in Vermont, named for American Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen. First serving as a cavalry post in 1894, today it is the center of a designated national historic district straddling the town line between Colchester and Essex...
military installation before entering the village of Essex Junction
Essex Junction, Vermont
Essex Junction is a village in the town of Essex in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 8,591 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on November 15, 1892....
in the town of Essex
Essex, Vermont
Essex is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 19,587 at the 2010 census.By population, Essex is the largest town in Vermont, and the second-largest municipality .-Government:...
. In Essex Junction, the road is known as Pearl Street and continues for about two miles (3 km) to a five-way intersection with VT 2A and VT 117 at the village center, near the Essex Junction-Burlington
Essex Junction (Amtrak station)
Essex Junction, also known as Essex Junction-Burlington is a train station in Essex Junction, Vermont served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The station was originally built by the Central Vermont Railway-External links:*...
railroad station. It turns left onto Main Street at the village center and continues northeast out of the village for 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to a junction with the VT 289 expressway (at Exit 9). From there it continues east through Essex Center along Center Road and Jericho Road as it heads into the town of Jericho
Jericho (town), Vermont
Jericho is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,015 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles , of which 35.4 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
, soon entering the village of Jericho
Jericho (village), Vermont
Jericho is a village in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,457 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.4 square miles , all of it being land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were...
. As VT 15 continues past the village, it turns northward to enter the town of Underhill
Underhill, Vermont
Underhill is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.4 mi2 , of which 51.3 mi2 is land and 0.1 mi2 is water.-Education:Underhill...
. It runs for about eight miles (13 km) in a northerly direction through mostly rural areas in the towns of Underhill and Westford
Westford, Vermont
Westford is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,087 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.3 square miles , of which 39.3 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
before finally entering the town of Cambridge
Cambridge, Vermont
Cambridge is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,186 at the 2000 U.S. Census. Cambridge includes the village of Jeffersonville.-History:...
.
After entering Cambridge town, VT 15 meets the eastern end of VT 104 then turns eastward and begins following the path of the Lamoille River
Lamoille River
The Lamoille River is a river which runs through northern Vermont and drains into Lake Champlain. It is about in length, and has a drainage area of around . The river generally flows southwest, and then northwest, from the water divide of the Green Mountains, and is the namesake of Lamoille...
on its south bank. Half a mile later, VT 15 enters the village of Cambridge
Cambridge (village), Vermont
Cambridge is a village in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 235 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.3 square miles , all land....
then crosses the Lamoille River to follow the north bank instead. VT 15 continues eastward for another two miles (3 km) to the village of Jeffersonville
Jeffersonville, Vermont
Jeffersonville is a village in the town of Cambridge, Vermont, United States. The population was 568 at the 2000 census.-History:The village was originally called Cambridge Center, the name was changed to Jeffersonville in 1827 to honor Thomas Jefferson...
, crossing the Lamoille River again and intersecting with VT 108
Vermont Route 108
Vermont Route 108 is a north–south state highway in northern Vermont, United States. Its southern terminus is at VT 100 in Stowe, and its northern terminus is at the Canadian border in Franklin, where it continues into Quebec as Route 237. VT 108 is long.-Route...
in the center of the village. VT 15 continues northeast from the village for several miles, still following the Lamoille River, then turns sharply to the southeast with the river. VT 15 soon enters the town of Johnson
Johnson (town), Vermont
Johnson is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,274 at the 2000 census. Johnson is home of Johnson State College, a part the Vermont State Colleges system...
, continuing southeast for about three miles (5 km) until it reaches the village of Johnson
Johnson (village), Vermont
Johnson is a village in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,420 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles , all land....
. In the center of the village, it has a junction with VT 100C
Vermont Route 100C
Vermont Route 100C is a short state highway in northern Vermont, United States. It is a spur of VT 100 and extends from VT 15 in the village of Johnson to VT 100 in the town of Hyde Park.-Route description:...
, a spur route from southbound VT 100 to westbound VT 15. VT 15 continues southeast for 2.5 miles (4 km) into the town of Hyde Park
Hyde Park (town), Vermont
Hyde Park is a town in and the shire town of Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Captain Jedediah Hyde, a landowner. The population was 2,847 at the 2000 census...
. About 1.58 miles (2.5 km) beyond the town line, the road enters the village of Hyde Park
Hyde Park (village), Vermont
Hyde Park is a village in the town of Hyde Park, Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 415 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, where it is joined from the north by VT 100. The VT 15/VT 100 overlap continues for another mile into the town of Morristown
Morristown, Vermont
Morristown is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.6 square miles , of which 51.3 square miles is land and 0.3 square mile is...
. Just north of the village of Morrisville
Morrisville, Vermont
Morrisville is a village in Morristown, Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,009. Morrisville has 2 country clubs, a hospital, a school featuring Greek architecture and an airport. The hospital and one of the country clubs are named after...
, VT 100 separates from VT 15 to head south into the village, while VT 15 continues east. About 1.6 miles (2.6 km) further, VT 15's spur route, VT 15A, splits from VT 15 heading southwest into Morrisville. VT 15 continues its eastward trek into the town of Wolcott
Wolcott, Vermont
Wolcott is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for General Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence...
, running through mostly rural area for seven miles (11 km) through the town. It passes through the town center, before proceeding into the town of Hardwick
Hardwick, Vermont
Hardwick is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,174 at the 2000 census.It contains the incorporated village of Hardwick and the unincorporated villages of East Hardwick and Mackville...
.
In the town of Hardwick VT 14 joins VT 15 from the north and the pair continues into the town center, where VT 14 separates to the south. VT 15 travels east, still following the Lamoille River, for another 2.4 miles (3.9 km) until the junction with VT 16. VT 16 takes over the Lamoille River route as it heads northeast while VT 15 continues southeast. VT 15 soon enters the town of Walden
Walden, Vermont
Walden is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 782 at the 2000 census. The community has no ZIP code of its own; mail is routed through the West Danville and East Hardwick post offices.-Geography:...
and runs for about five miles (8 km) until it reaches the Walden town center. Past the town center, VT 15 turns sharply south towards Joe's Pond
Joe's Pond
-Overview:Joe's Pond is a four hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest that lies to the east of, and adjacent to, the Rainton Meadows nature reserve. It was originally notified, as Nicholson’s Pond, in 1968...
in the town of Danville
Danville, Vermont
Danville is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. It was named for the 18th-century French cartographer Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville...
. The road follows the north shore of Joe's Pond, turning from south to east until it ends at an intersection with U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
in the West Danville community.
Several of the most heavily trafficked sections of route 15 (such as the section between Morrisville and Cambridge, as well as between Jerico and Essex Center) are currently (June 2011) in very rough condition due to state and local road maintenance budget shortfalls and as well as recent harsh winters. Motorcycles in particular should take extra precautions.
History
In 1922, the New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
states adopted a region-wide route marking system. Major inter-state routes were assigned numbers between 1 and 99. The east–west route beginning in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, through Randolph, New Hampshire
Randolph, New Hampshire
Randolph is a heavily forested town in Coos County, New Hampshire, U.S., extending from the northern slopes of the White Mountains of the Presidential Range to Berlin , with U.S. Route 2 cutting through the middle...
and Bangor, Maine
Bangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
, to Houlton, Maine
Houlton, Maine
Houlton is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, on the United States – Canada border, located at . As of the 2010 census, the town population was 6,123. It is perhaps best known as being at the northern terminus of Interstate 95 and for being the birthplace of Samantha Smith...
was designated as New England Route 15. Within the state of Vermont, Route 15 followed modern US 2/US 7 to Winooski
Winooski, Vermont
Winooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
then modern VT 15 to Danville
Danville, Vermont
Danville is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. It was named for the 18th-century French cartographer Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville...
then modern US 2 to Lunenburg, where it crossed into Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, on the Connecticut River named after Lancaster, England. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin. It is the county seat of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region...
. In late 1926, the U.S. Highway system was established nationwide and many of the New England inter-state routes became U.S. routes. In Maine and New Hampshire, U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
was designated on New England Route 15, continuing along Route 15 up to St. Johnsbury, Vermont
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
St. Johnsbury is the shire town of Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 7,571 at the 2000 census. St. Johnsbury is located approximately northwest of the Connecticut River and south of the Canadian border.St...
. However, between St. Johnsbury and Burlington, US 2 was initially designated on a more southerly alignment, first heading south to Wells River
Wells River, Vermont
Wells River is a village in the town of Newbury in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 325 at the 2000 census. The village center is located at the junction of U.S...
, then northwest via Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
to Burlington (US 2 was later relocated between St. Johnsbury and Montpelier). The section of old New England Route 15 in Vermont from St. Johnsbury to Burlington became Vermont Route 15. The Vermont state highway system was established in 1931, with the state officially taking control over maintenance of VT 15. The route was streamlined to remove the unnecessary overlaps at both its ends, truncating it to its modern Winooski to West Danville designation.
Suffixed routes
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
located in Lamoille County serving as a connector from westbound VT 15 to Morrisville
Morrisville, Vermont
Morrisville is a village in Morristown, Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,009. Morrisville has 2 country clubs, a hospital, a school featuring Greek architecture and an airport. The hospital and one of the country clubs are named after...
and southbound VT 100. The western terminus is at Vermont Route 100
Vermont Route 100
Vermont Route 100 is a north–south state highway in Vermont, United States. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is long...
in the center of Morrisville and the eastern terminus is at VT 15 in Morristown
Morristown, Vermont
Morristown is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.6 square miles , of which 51.3 square miles is land and 0.3 square mile is...
. VT 15A also intersects the northern terminus of Vermont Route 12
Vermont Route 12
Vermont Route 12 is a north-south state highway in Vermont that runs from Weathersfield to Morrisville.-Route description:Route 12 begins at the New Hampshire state line on the Connecticut River in the town of Weathersfield. It continues north along the west bank of the Connecticut River,...
just east of VT 100.