Smugglers' Notch Construction Updates
Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway
Parking Area and Stormwater Improvement Project
The Lamoille County Planning Commission is announcing the start of construction for the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway Parking Area and Stormwater Improvement Project on Route 108 in Smuggler’s Notch. Construction will begin the Week of August 11, 2025. During this time crews will be on site beginning preparatory work in advance of construction.
This work includes installing variable message signs intended to alert travelers to the start of construction as well as the felling of select trees within the project area as required to complete the work. This environmental restoration project is designed to remove as few trees as possible. This preparatory work will take place off the roadway with limited impacts to traffic at the Notch Proper South and Hell Brook North sites.
Construction activities will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. starting August 11, 2025, and continue through the fall of 2025. This work will require intermittent single lane closures along VT 108 throughout construction. Traffic will be maintained along VT 108 under one-way alternating traffic patterns controlled by flaggers. Improvements will be made at King Rock and along VT 108 to revegetate roadside parking near sharp curves in the Notch.
Week of September 29
TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACTS: Motorists should expect minimal to no traffic delays. There will be occasional flagging for the remainder of the project.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: As work concludes, various small tasks will occur throughout the project area. This includes continuing to put up wooden marker posts, placing boulders near the retaining wall and other minor projects to complete the scope of work.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: As work concludes, various small tasks will occur throughout the project area. This includes continuing to put up wooden marker posts, placing boulders near the retaining wall and other minor projects to complete the scope of work.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
Week of September 15
TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACTS: Motorists should expect traffic delays and single lane closures near the “King Rock” site to ensure large trucks can safely enter and exit the lot. Flaggers will oversee all lane reductions. Work may also occur at the sharp S curves between the “Notch Proper South Parking Area” and the “Southern Notch Roadside Revegetation” site. Any work at this site would occur outside of the roadway.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: The retaining wall near the King Rock parking area is expected to be finished this week. This wall is intended to minimize the area of disturbance and clearing needed for the added parking spaces. Once the wall is finished, work will begin on the parking lot’s subbase layer.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
Week of September 9
TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACTS: Motorists should expect minimal traffic delays at the “Notch Proper” parking lot near the Smugglers’ Notch information booth. Flaggers will occasionally stop traffic to ensure large trucks can enter and exit construction zones. No single lane closures should be expected at this time.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: A retaining wall is being built near the King Rock parking area. This wall is intended to minimize the area of disturbance and clearing needed for the added parking spaces. This work is not expected to intrude into the roadway but may require traffic stoppages to accommodate large trucks and equipment.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: A retaining wall is being built near the King Rock parking area. This wall is intended to minimize the area of disturbance and clearing needed for the added parking spaces. This work is not expected to intrude into the roadway but may require traffic stoppages to accommodate large trucks and equipment.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
Week of September 2
TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACTS: Motorists should expect single lane closures, traffic delays and large excavation equipment to be present between just South of the “Notch Proper South Parking Area” and the “Southern Notch Roadside Revegetation” site. See map below for more information. Flaggers will oversee all lane reductions.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: Excavation activities will continue into next week. Roadside ditches will be dug and lined with topsoil and rocks. Boulders will also be placed near old unofficial parking areas to discourage roadside parking and maintain the Notch’s aesthetic.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES: Excavation activities will continue into next week. Roadside ditches will be dug and lined with topsoil and rocks. Boulders will also be placed near old unofficial parking areas to discourage roadside parking and maintain the Notch’s aesthetic.
LOCATION: Vermont Route 108 (VT 108) or the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway (the Notch Road) at 5 separate site locations shown on the project map.
The Lamoille County Planning Commission in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, is completing environmental restoration along the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway, VT 108, to preserve and restore the natural beauty and landscape.
The Smugglers’ Notch Parking Area and Stormwater Improvement Project will restore and reintroduce native vegetation, reclaim parking areas as natural space, protect the natural landscape and prevent future destruction. It will also enhance existing parking locations to discourage renegade parking. The project is contained between the gates on either side of the Smugglers’ Notch Road, Route 108, beginning just north of Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe and extending approximately two miles north to Smugglers’ Notch Visitor Center in Cambridge.
To join our mailing list to receive regular updates regarding the project and construction straight to your email, or ask questions about the project, please contact LCPC Planner, Marc Mastrangelo at Marc@lcpcvt.org or (802)851-6348
This project was designed in partnership with: VTrans, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and
Recreation, Green Mountain Club, Lamoille County Planning Commission, Stowe Mountain Resort
and Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Recreation, Green Mountain Club, Lamoille County Planning Commission, Stowe Mountain Resort
and Smugglers’ Notch Resort