BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A busy Burlington intersection will now remain open to traffic this holiday season after businesses pushed back against plans to close it.

We told you last week that Burlington businesses were notified the intersection of Main Street and South Winooski Avenue would close in early December for two months.

Businesses pushed back with concerns the closure would significantly impact their holiday shopping season at a time when business is already down.

Now, traffic will be able to turn right and left onto South Winooski Avenue, which parallels Church Street.

“We heard from the business community that the circulation at the Main and Winooski intersection was pivotal. We found a way working with the contractor to maintain that circulation. So, downtown is open for business this holiday. I’ve spent a lot of money this last weekend here. I’m looking forward to everybody else supporting our great local businesses,” Burlington Public Works Director Chapin Spencer said.

Construction on other downtown Burlington roads near Church Street should be back open in the coming weeks — but this project will continue with other closures for the next two years.

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