Vermont Route 14
Encyclopedia
Vermont Route 14 is a north–south state highway
in northeastern Vermont
, United States
. It is 110.2 miles (177.3 km) long and extends from U.S. Route 4 and U.S. Route 5 in White River Junction
to Vermont Route 100
in Newport
. Between White River Junction and the city of Barre, the route parallels Interstate 89
. Vermont Route 14 was originally designated in 1922 as part of the New England road marking system. Its north end was truncated in 1926 as a result of the designation of U.S. Route 2 but was extended north along an old alignment of Vermont Route 12
in the 1960s.
in the town of Hartford
, at the confluence of the White River
and the Connecticut River
. VT 14 heads northwest as Maple Street, crossing under I-91 without an interchange, and continues through the town center of Hartford, along the north bank of the White River. 5 miles (8 km) later it passes through the small village of West Hartford
and soon enters the town of Sharon
. After traveling another 5 miles (8 km) along the river, VT 14 intersects with VT 132
in Sharon center and continues northwest into the town of Royalton
, where it passes through the town's three villages along the White River. VT 14 first goes through South Royalton, where it has a junction with VT 110, then continues to follow the winding path of the river through Royalton center, finally reaching the village of North Royalton, where it meets with VT 107
. From here, VT 14 turns north, leaving the main White River to follow the Second Branch of the White River. VT 14 runs for about 3 miles (5 km) in western Royalton town, then enters the village of East Bethel in the town of Bethel
. Less than 1 miles (1.6 km) later, VT 14 enters the town of Randolph
, passing through the village of South Randolph. After traveling north for another 4.5 miles (7.2 km), VT 14 arrives in the village of East Randolph, where it has a junction with VT 66
, which is signed for the Randolph town center.
VT 14 continues north for another 2 miles (3.2 km) through the village of North Randolph before entering the town of Brookfield
. Upon reaching the village of East Brookfield about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) north of the town line, VT 14 intersects with VT 65
, the route to Brookfield center. Further north, VT 14 passes by Ainsworth State Park, which straddles the town line between Brookfield and Williamstown
and also marks the upstream end of the Second Branch of the White River. VT 14 continues north through the narrow mountain pass of the state park and eventually arrives at the town center of Williamstown, where it intersects VT 64
. After another 2.3 miles (3.7 km), VT 14 crosses into the town of Barre
. It proceeds through the village of South Barre
, intersecting with VT 63
, and continuing into the city of Barre. In Barre city, VT 14 runs along South Main Street for 1.2 miles (1.9 km) until the junction with U.S. Route 302
. US 302 and VT 14 overlap along North Main Street as they head into the city center. At the city center, the two overlapped routes split at a large four-way intersection that also includes a junction with VT 62
, a short connector to I-89. US 302 heads northwest directly towards the city of Montpelier
, while VT 14 heads north along Maple Avenue towards the town of East Montpelier
. VT 14 briefly re-enters Barre town for about 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) before entering the town limits of East Montpelier. After 2.4 miles (3.9 km), VT 14 crosses the Winooski River
into the town center, where it meets U.S. Route 2
.
, running for nearly 7 miles (11 km) through the eastern part of this mostly rural town, including the village of East Calais, plus another 8 miles (13 km) through the next town, Woodbury
. Within Woodbury, it passes through the small town center, then continues past Greenwood Lake to run for several miles along the narrow river valley at the eastern edge of the Woodbury Mountains. Upon entering the next town, Hardwick
, the valley opens up as the road approaches the town center, where the Lamoille River
crosses east to west. Here, northbound VT 14 is joined by westbound VT 15, as they run concurrently to the northwest for about 1 miles (1.6 km), crossing the Lamoille River just north of the town center, after which VT 15 continues west as the two routes separate. VT 14 continues north along the west shore of Hardwick Lake, as the valley the road has been passing through narrows again. After 4 miles (6 km), VT 14 briefly enters the town of Greensboro
, where it passes along the shore of Lake Eligo, then continues northwest into the town of Craftsbury
. VT 14 bypasses the small villages of the town, running along a more westerly track.
After traveling 8 miles (13 km) through rural Craftsbury, VT 14 proceeds north into the town of Albany, where it runs for another 7 miles (11 km), passing through the village of Albany
along the way. North of Albany, VT 14 continues into the town of Irasburg
, where it intersects VT 58
at the town center. The two routes overlap to the north and west for 2.1 miles (3.4 km). After another 3.5 miles (5.6 km) in northern Irasburg town, VT 14 enters Coventry
, where it is immediately joined by U.S. Route 5
coming from the southeast. The two routes overlap for about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) through Coventry center then separate, with US 5 heading north to the city of Newport
and VT 14 heading northwest towards the town of Newport
, where it ends at VT 100, less than 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) after crossing the town line. VT 100 and VT 105
continue into Newport Center.
. The oldest of these was the White River Turnpike, which was chartered on November 1, 1800. The road was to run 21 miles (33.8 km) from the mouth of the White River to the point where it was joined by the Second Branch of the White River, and connected the settlements of White River Junction
, Sharon
, and Royalton
. The toll road was in operation for 52 years. By the end of this period, receipts from the road had become very small due to the recent opening in 1850, along the same path as the turnpike, of a new railway line of the Vermont Central Railroad.
Another portion of modern VT 14, between East Brookfield and Williamstown
center, was to be improved by another turnpike corporation, the Williamstown Center Turnpike, which was chartered on November 14, 1803. The charter provided that the road be turned over to the state after having been in operation for 25 years (later amended to 40 years). The company, however, did not do anything in its first two years of existence and only began laying out the road in 1805.
A third turnpike corporation, the Randolph Turnpike, was chartered on November 7, 1805, to build a 10 miles (16.1 km) northward continuation of the White River Turnpike. The road of the Randolph Turnpike was to run from North Royalton to East Randolph. The corporation was dissolved by the state legislature on November 6, 1833.
In 1922, the New England
states adopted a region-wide system for route numbering. New England Route 14 was initially designated as a north–south route beginning at White River Junction
, through Montpelier
, to the city of Burlington
. The route used modern VT 14 to Barre, then US 302 to Montpelier, and US 2 to Burlington. By 1925, an extension into New Hampshire
had been designated continuing across the Connecticut River
to Lebanon, New Hampshire
and heading southeast to Franklin
, along modern US 4 to Andover
and New Hampshire Route 11
to Franklin.
At the end of 1926, the American Association of State Highway Officials formally established the U.S. Highway System and many of the New England inter-state routes were redesignated as U.S. Routes. The portion of New England Route 14 from Barre to Burlington was assigned to U.S. Route 2, while the portion in New Hampshire was assigned to U.S. Route 4. This shortened Route 14 in the south to US 4/US 5 in White River Junction, and in the north to US 2 in the city of Barre. In 1935, the portion of US 2 between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury
was relocated to a more northerly alignment using a section of then Vermont Route 18
. The old US 2 alignment was redesignated as US 302. VT 14 was extended northward several miles to East Montpelier
, ending at the junction of newly relocated US 2 and Vermont Route 12
.
In the 1960s, the northern half of Vermont Route 12
(north of Montpelier) was relocated to the "Montpelier-Morrisville State Highway", which connected Montpelier with the village of Morrisville
. Originally, VT 12 continued north from Montpelier via East Montpelier to Hardwick
and Barton, then overlapped with U.S. Route 5
to the city of Newport
via Coventry
. Between Hardwick and Coventry, VT 12 had an alternate route, Vermont Route 12B, that took a more westerly alignment via Albany. The relocation of the northern half of VT 12 to a new alignment resulted in the redesignation of its original northern alignment. The portion between Hardwick and Barton became a new Vermont Route 16
. The portion between East Montpelier and Hardwick was assigned as an extension of VT 14. At the same time, VT 12B was also redesignated as a further northward extension of VT 14, including an additional 4 miles (6.4 km) piece connecting to VT 100 in the town of Newport
, resulting in the modern VT 14 alignment.
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 northeastern 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...
. It is 110.2 miles (177.3 km) long and extends from U.S. Route 4 and U.S. Route 5 in White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
to 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 Newport
Newport (town), Vermont
Newport is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,511 at the 2000 census. The town is referred to by the United States Postal Service and the media as Newport Center, the name of the main settlement of the town.-Town:...
. Between White River Junction and the city of Barre, the route parallels Interstate 89
Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
. Vermont Route 14 was originally designated in 1922 as part of the New England road marking system. Its north end was truncated in 1926 as a result of the designation of U.S. Route 2 but was extended north along an old alignment 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,...
in the 1960s.
Route description
White River Junction to East Montpelier
VT 14 begins at the intersection of US 4 and US 5 in White River JunctionWhite River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
in the town of Hartford
Hartford, Vermont
Hartford is a town in Windsor County in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is located on the New Hampshire border, at the intersection of Interstates 89 and 91. It is the site of the confluence of the White River and the Connecticut River; the Ottauquechee River also flows through the town...
, at the confluence of the White River
White River (Vermont)
The White River is a river in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River.The White River rises at Skylight Pond south of Bread Loaf Mountain near the crest of the Green Mountains. The river flows east to the town of Granville, where it receives the outflow from the...
and the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
. VT 14 heads northwest as Maple Street, crossing under I-91 without an interchange, and continues through the town center of Hartford, along the north bank of the White River. 5 miles (8 km) later it passes through the small village of West Hartford
West Hartford, Vermont
West Hartford is an unincorporated village in the town of Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont. It is the most rural of Hartford's five villages, situated on the White River and crossed by the Appalachian Trail. Almost half of the village was wiped out by a flood in 1927. Some areas have been...
and soon enters the town of Sharon
Sharon, Vermont
Sharon is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It had a population of 1,411 at the 2000 census. The town is home to The Sharon Academy.-History:...
. After traveling another 5 miles (8 km) along the river, VT 14 intersects with VT 132
Vermont Route 132
Vermont Route 132 is a state highway in eastern Vermont, United States. It runs east to west from VT 14 in Sharon in the west to U.S. Route 5 in Norwich from the New Hampshire border in the east. The route interchanges with Interstate 89 at exit 2, an interchange situated ...
in Sharon center and continues northwest into the town of Royalton
Royalton, Vermont
Royalton is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,603 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton...
, where it passes through the town's three villages along the White River. VT 14 first goes through South Royalton, where it has a junction with VT 110, then continues to follow the winding path of the river through Royalton center, finally reaching the village of North Royalton, where it meets with VT 107
Vermont Route 107
Vermont Route 107 is an east–west state highway in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It runs for from Stockbridge in the west to Royalton in the east. VT 107 mostly serves to connect VT 100 to Interstate 89 .-Route description:VT 107 begins at an intersection...
. From here, VT 14 turns north, leaving the main White River to follow the Second Branch of the White River. VT 14 runs for about 3 miles (5 km) in western Royalton town, then enters the village of East Bethel in the town of Bethel
Bethel, Vermont
Bethel is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,968 at the 2000 census. The town includes the locations of Bethel-Gilead, East Bethel, Lilliesville, Lympus , and West Bethel...
. Less than 1 miles (1.6 km) later, VT 14 enters the town of Randolph
Randolph, Vermont
Randolph is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,853 at the 2000 census, making Randolph the largest town in Orange County. The town is a commercial center for many of the smaller, rural farming communities that surround it....
, passing through the village of South Randolph. After traveling north for another 4.5 miles (7.2 km), VT 14 arrives in the village of East Randolph, where it has a junction with VT 66
Vermont Route 66
Vermont Route 66 is a short state highway located entirely within the town of Randolph in Orange County, Vermont, United States. It serves as a connection between the center and east side of the town....
, which is signed for the Randolph town center.
VT 14 continues north for another 2 miles (3.2 km) through the village of North Randolph before entering the town of Brookfield
Brookfield, Vermont
Brookfield is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. It was created by Vermont charter on August 5, 1781. The population was 1,222 at the 2000 census. Brookfield is best known for its floating bridge which spans Sunset Lake buoyed by pontoons...
. Upon reaching the village of East Brookfield about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) north of the town line, VT 14 intersects with VT 65
Vermont Route 65
Vermont Route 65 is an east–west state highway within the town of Brookfield in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The western terminus of the route is at VT 12. Its eastern terminus is at VT 14 in the village of East Brookfield. VT 65 traverses a floating bridge and serves Allis...
, the route to Brookfield center. Further north, VT 14 passes by Ainsworth State Park, which straddles the town line between Brookfield and Williamstown
Williamstown, Vermont
Williamstown is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,225 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.3 square miles , of which 40.2 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is...
and also marks the upstream end of the Second Branch of the White River. VT 14 continues north through the narrow mountain pass of the state park and eventually arrives at the town center of Williamstown, where it intersects VT 64
Vermont Route 64
Vermont Route 64 is a short state highway in central Vermont, United States. It connects Vermont Route 12 in Northfield to Vermont Route 14 in Williamstown.-Route description:...
. After another 2.3 miles (3.7 km), VT 14 crosses into the town of Barre
Barre (town), Vermont
Barre is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 7,924 at the 2010 census. Barre town almost completely surrounds Barre city, which is incorporated separately from the town of Barre.-Geography:...
. It proceeds through the village of South Barre
South Barre, Vermont
South Barre is a census-designated place in the town of Barre in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, intersecting with VT 63
Vermont Route 63
Vermont Route 63 is a short state highway in Washington County, Vermont, United States. It connects Interstate 89 to Vermont Route 14 south of the city of Barre.-Route description:...
, and continuing into the city of Barre. In Barre city, VT 14 runs along South Main Street for 1.2 miles (1.9 km) until the junction with U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302 is a spur of U.S. Route 2. It currently runs 171 miles north from Portland, Maine, at U.S. Route 1, to Montpelier, Vermont, at US 2...
. US 302 and VT 14 overlap along North Main Street as they head into the city center. At the city center, the two overlapped routes split at a large four-way intersection that also includes a junction with VT 62
Vermont Route 62
Vermont Route 62 is a short state highway in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The road was designed to serve as a connector between Interstate 89 and the industrial and commercial centers of Berlin and Barre, akin to the three-digit spur interstates that are present throughout the United...
, a short connector to I-89. US 302 heads northwest directly towards the city of 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...
, while VT 14 heads north along Maple Avenue towards the town of East Montpelier
East Montpelier, Vermont
East Montpelier is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 32.1 square miles , of which 32.0 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
. VT 14 briefly re-enters Barre town for about 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) before entering the town limits of East Montpelier. After 2.4 miles (3.9 km), VT 14 crosses the Winooski River
Winooski River
The Winooski River is a tributary of Lake Champlain, approximately long, in northern Vermont in the United States. Although not Vermont's longest river, it is one of the state's most significant, forming a major valley way from Lake Champlain through the Green Mountains towards the Connecticut...
into the town center, where it meets 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...
.
East Montpelier to Newport
After overlapping with US 2 for 0.2 mile (0.321868 km) through East Montpelier center, VT 14 continues for 3 miles (5 km) to an intersection with VT 214, in North Montpelier village. It soon enters the town of CalaisCalais, Vermont
Calais is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,529 at the 2000 census. Calais is pronounced similarly to palace, not chalet...
, running for nearly 7 miles (11 km) through the eastern part of this mostly rural town, including the village of East Calais, plus another 8 miles (13 km) through the next town, Woodbury
Woodbury, Vermont
Woodbury is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 809 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.1 square miles , of which 37.8 square miles is land and 1.3 square miles is water...
. Within Woodbury, it passes through the small town center, then continues past Greenwood Lake to run for several miles along the narrow river valley at the eastern edge of the Woodbury Mountains. Upon entering the next town, 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...
, the valley opens up as the road approaches the town center, where 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...
crosses east to west. Here, northbound VT 14 is joined by westbound VT 15, as they run concurrently to the northwest for about 1 miles (1.6 km), crossing the Lamoille River just north of the town center, after which VT 15 continues west as the two routes separate. VT 14 continues north along the west shore of Hardwick Lake, as the valley the road has been passing through narrows again. After 4 miles (6 km), VT 14 briefly enters the town of Greensboro
Greensboro, Vermont
Greensboro is the southernmost town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 770 at the 2000 census. The town includes the places of Campbells Corners, East Greensboro, Gebbie Corner, Greensboro Four Corners, Greensboro Bend, The Four Corners, Tolmans Corner, and Burlington...
, where it passes along the shore of Lake Eligo, then continues northwest into the town of Craftsbury
Craftsbury, Vermont
Craftsbury is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. The town includes the four unincorporated villages of Craftsbury Common, Mill Village, North Craftsbury and East Craftsbury.-Town:...
. VT 14 bypasses the small villages of the town, running along a more westerly track.
After traveling 8 miles (13 km) through rural Craftsbury, VT 14 proceeds north into the town of Albany, where it runs for another 7 miles (11 km), passing through the village of Albany
Albany (village), Vermont
Albany is a village in the town of Albany in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 165 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.5 square miles , all land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were...
along the way. North of Albany, VT 14 continues into the town of Irasburg
Irasburg, Vermont
Irasburg is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,077 at the 2000 census.-Town:* Moderator - David Turner* Selectman - Randy Wells, Roger Gagnon * Town Clerk - Barbara Lawson* Town Treasurer - Barbara Lawson...
, where it intersects VT 58
Vermont Route 58
Vermont Route 58 is an east–west state highway in northern Vermont, United States. The western terminus of the route is at VT 118 in Montgomery. The eastern terminus of VT 58 is at VT 5A north of Westmore and Lake Willoughby. In Orleans, VT 58 runs concurrent to U.S...
at the town center. The two routes overlap to the north and west for 2.1 miles (3.4 km). After another 3.5 miles (5.6 km) in northern Irasburg town, VT 14 enters Coventry
Coventry, Vermont
Coventry is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,014 at the 2000 census.-Local government:A waste system company paid the town about $800,000 in "tipping fees" in 2009. This allows the town property tax rate to be zero...
, where it is immediately joined by U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5 is a north–south United States highway running through the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Significant cities along the route include New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts. From Hartford northward to St...
coming from the southeast. The two routes overlap for about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) through Coventry center then separate, with US 5 heading north to the city of Newport
Newport (city), Vermont
Newport is a city in and the shire town of Orleans County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,005. The city contains the largest population of any government in the county, yet encompasses the smallest area....
and VT 14 heading northwest towards the town of Newport
Newport (town), Vermont
Newport is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,511 at the 2000 census. The town is referred to by the United States Postal Service and the media as Newport Center, the name of the main settlement of the town.-Town:...
, where it ends at VT 100, less than 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) after crossing the town line. VT 100 and VT 105
Vermont Route 105
Vermont Route 105 is a state highway located in northern Vermont, United States. The route runs from U.S. Route 7 in the city of St. Albans in the west to the New Hampshire state line in Bloomfield in the east. The road continues across the state line as Bridge Street, a short unnumbered New...
continue into Newport Center.
19th century turnpikes
The roads of the southern half of modern VT 14 were improved at the beginning of the 19th century as various privately-owned turnpikesToll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
. The oldest of these was the White River Turnpike, which was chartered on November 1, 1800. The road was to run 21 miles (33.8 km) from the mouth of the White River to the point where it was joined by the Second Branch of the White River, and connected the settlements of White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
, Sharon
Sharon, Vermont
Sharon is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It had a population of 1,411 at the 2000 census. The town is home to The Sharon Academy.-History:...
, and Royalton
Royalton, Vermont
Royalton is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,603 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton...
. The toll road was in operation for 52 years. By the end of this period, receipts from the road had become very small due to the recent opening in 1850, along the same path as the turnpike, of a new railway line of the Vermont Central Railroad.
Another portion of modern VT 14, between East Brookfield and Williamstown
Williamstown, Vermont
Williamstown is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,225 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.3 square miles , of which 40.2 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is...
center, was to be improved by another turnpike corporation, the Williamstown Center Turnpike, which was chartered on November 14, 1803. The charter provided that the road be turned over to the state after having been in operation for 25 years (later amended to 40 years). The company, however, did not do anything in its first two years of existence and only began laying out the road in 1805.
A third turnpike corporation, the Randolph Turnpike, was chartered on November 7, 1805, to build a 10 miles (16.1 km) northward continuation of the White River Turnpike. The road of the Randolph Turnpike was to run from North Royalton to East Randolph. The corporation was dissolved by the state legislature on November 6, 1833.
Route designation
New 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 system for route numbering. New England Route 14 was initially designated as a north–south route beginning at White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
, through 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 the city of Burlington
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....
. The route used modern VT 14 to Barre, then US 302 to Montpelier, and US 2 to Burlington. By 1925, an extension into New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
had been designated continuing across the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
to Lebanon, New Hampshire
Lebanon, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,568 people, 5,500 households, and 3,178 families residing in the city. The population density was 311.4 people per square mile . There were 5,707 housing units at an average density of 141.4 per square mile...
and heading southeast to Franklin
Franklin, New Hampshire
The median income for a household in the city was $34,613, and the median income for a family was $41,698. Males had a median income of $32,318 versus $25,062 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,155...
, along modern US 4 to Andover
Andover, New Hampshire
Andover is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census. Andover includes the villages of Cilleyville, Potter Place, and East Andover, in addition to the town center...
and New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire, running westward along the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Its eastern terminus is at the Maine state line in the city of Rochester, where it continues north as Maine State Route 11. U.S. Route 202, which runs...
to Franklin.
At the end of 1926, the American Association of State Highway Officials formally established the U.S. Highway System and many of the New England inter-state routes were redesignated as U.S. Routes. The portion of New England Route 14 from Barre to Burlington was assigned to U.S. Route 2, while the portion in New Hampshire was assigned to U.S. Route 4. This shortened Route 14 in the south to US 4/US 5 in White River Junction, and in the north to US 2 in the city of Barre. In 1935, the portion of US 2 between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury
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...
was relocated to a more northerly alignment using a section of then Vermont Route 18
Vermont Route 18
Vermont Route 18 is a state highway in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. It runs southeast from the town of St. Johnsbury to the New Hampshire state line, continuing there as New Hampshire Route 18...
. The old US 2 alignment was redesignated as US 302. VT 14 was extended northward several miles to East Montpelier
East Montpelier, Vermont
East Montpelier is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 32.1 square miles , of which 32.0 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
, ending at the junction of newly relocated US 2 and 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,...
.
In the 1960s, the northern half 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,...
(north of Montpelier) was relocated to the "Montpelier-Morrisville State Highway", which connected Montpelier with 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...
. Originally, VT 12 continued north from Montpelier via East Montpelier to 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...
and Barton, then overlapped with U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5 is a north–south United States highway running through the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Significant cities along the route include New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts. From Hartford northward to St...
to the city of Newport
Newport (city), Vermont
Newport is a city in and the shire town of Orleans County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,005. The city contains the largest population of any government in the county, yet encompasses the smallest area....
via Coventry
Coventry, Vermont
Coventry is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,014 at the 2000 census.-Local government:A waste system company paid the town about $800,000 in "tipping fees" in 2009. This allows the town property tax rate to be zero...
. Between Hardwick and Coventry, VT 12 had an alternate route, Vermont Route 12B, that took a more westerly alignment via Albany. The relocation of the northern half of VT 12 to a new alignment resulted in the redesignation of its original northern alignment. The portion between Hardwick and Barton became a new Vermont Route 16
Vermont Route 16
Vermont Route 16 is a north–south state highway in northern Vermont, United States. The route is long and connects Hardwick to Westmore. It begins at VT 15 in Hardwick and heads northward to U.S. Route 5 in Barton. From Barton, it heads eastward to VT 5A in Westmore...
. The portion between East Montpelier and Hardwick was assigned as an extension of VT 14. At the same time, VT 12B was also redesignated as a further northward extension of VT 14, including an additional 4 miles (6.4 km) piece connecting to VT 100 in the town of Newport
Newport (town), Vermont
Newport is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,511 at the 2000 census. The town is referred to by the United States Postal Service and the media as Newport Center, the name of the main settlement of the town.-Town:...
, resulting in the modern VT 14 alignment.