In the past six years, I have read excerpts from the 2006 Shelburne Village Master Plan and would like to commend the Selectboard, the Planning Commission, the Shelburne Historic Preservation Commission, the Design Review Commission, and all consultants involved for the production of a comprehensive document that addresses a multitude of complex design, social, and financial challenges the village faces. The traffic-calming strategies and streetscape proposals through the use of meridians, decreasing lane widths, on-street parking, street trees, and sidewalk/lighting improvements are all essential components to improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation. Additional kudos should also be given for preventing the addition of lanes on Route 7 through the village. Widening roads only invites more traffic...or, more poetically phrased, "If you pave it, they will come" ("it" being roads, "they" being vehicles).

However, after living on Shelburne Road for the past six years, I think a more ambitious plan is needed to mitigate the noise, pollution, and congestion that consistently plague this prime north-south route into Burlington. For those of us living along Shelburne Road, the noise is frequently at levels that make it difficult to have a conversation, listen to the radio/television, or sleep soundly through the night...not to mention air quality concerns, fuel consumption from idling, and safety issues/difficulties in navigating across the road on foot, bike, or wheelchair. Indeed, Route 7 is fragmenting the community of Shelburne and deteriorating - and even endangering the precious historic character inherent in Vermont. In addition to the proposals presented in the Master Plan, a few other strategies should be considered to preserve the historic, natural, and cultural resources in Shelburne.

The most elaborate strategy would be to tunnel the through-traffic on Route 7 "Big-Dig" style from Bostwick Road to the jug handle at Webster Road. Obviously, this would also be the most expensive option. However, with over $80 billion dollars being allocated to public infrastructure improvements as a result of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act plus potential funding from federal and state historic preservation grants, such a vision could one day become reality. If tunneling Route 7 is unfeasible, then designs for elevated or sub-grade pedestrian crossings might be a more practical alternative. For example, a land bridge connecting the Shelburne Museum to the triangle could provide uninterrupted, east-to west pedestrian circulation across Shelburne Road and could establish a more prominent gateway that could enhance the village's presence. In addition, until a new fleet of quiet, energy efficient trucks is mandated, more stringent regulations might have to be implemented that re-route and/or restrict trucks by weight/size/noise and time of day on certain roads and in certain communities. This will most likely not go over well with corporations and shipping companies who will respond by increasing the cost of goods, which is just another good reason to buy local.

Another option that should be reconsidered is to utilize the existing rail line as a commuter line. The rail line links Rutland, Middlebury, and Burlington and has the potential to further alleviate traffic congestion on Shelburne Road. The commuter rail could also expand employment radii and foster more compact forms of development. Although the Champlain Valley Flyer was unsuccessful in the past, new technologies, rising fuel prices, better marketing, and more efficient headway planning could make this option successful in the near future...as long as the train whistle doesn't blow at 4 a.m.!