SAND HILL TRAFFIC STUDY

This ongoing study is analyzing commercial and industrial truck traffic on Lower Sand Hill Road and through the Saxon Hill Industrial Park (SHIP). The study will identify roadway deficiencies and safety issues for the existing and future (full buildout) conditions. The study will also develop recommendations for the next steps.

Recommendations may include:

  • Geometric Improvements
  • Signal Installation/Retiming
  • Alternate Truck Routes
  • Access Management
  • Safety Improvements
  • Monitoring Conditions


Background

TH#4, Sand Hill Road, is a 2.21-mile Class 2 town highway within the Town of Essex. A number of residents that reside in the "lower" portion of Sand Hill Road between Allen Martin Drive and VT RT 117 (River Road) have concerns about the number of trucks utilizing the road as a truck route to access the industrial-zoned area in Saxon Hill from both VT RT 117 and VT RT 15. 

Sand Hill Truck Traffic Study

What's Next?

The final Sand Hill Road Truck Traffic Study Report will be presented to the Selectboard for adoption in early Spring 2026.

PRESENTATIONS


Presentation 3 | February 23, 2026 | Presented to the Selectboard

Presentation 2 | November 13, 2025 | Presented to the Planning Commission

Presentation 1 | March 13, 2025 | Presented to the Planning Commission

  1. February 25, 2026

    Essex Reporter article - Sand Hill Road traffic study finalized after residents bring concerns to Essex Selectboard Read on...

  2. February 23, 2026

    Selectboard Project Summary Presentation Read on...

  3. November 13, 2025

    Planning Commission Reviews Second Presentation on Sand Hill Traffic Study Read on...
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Contact Information

Aaron Martin, Public Works Director
amartin@essex.org

Kent Johnson, Planner
kjohnson@essex.org

Selectboard Strategic Planning Goal:

Make improvements in multimodal transportation options throughout Essex.

Relevant Selectboard Values: Cohesiveness and Connectivity; Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability; Thoughtful Growth

Documents

  1. FY25 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Summary Status of Request - May 30, 2024
  2. Email from Aaron Martin - December 15, 2023 re 2nd Sand Hill Road study
  3. Memo from Aaron Martin- November 30, 2023 re Lower Sand Hill Road Truck Traffic Concerns
  4. Data Anaysis November 27 - December 2, 2023
  5. Data Analysis July 13 - July 20, 2023
Sand Hill Road map

Image from Google Maps

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