Ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate Phase 1 opening of the Champlain Parkway Project [Video]

After more than 30 years and several legal challenges, the Champlain Parkway Project is finally hitting a major milestone.The nearly three-mile-long project will connect Burlington’s South End to I-89, and on Tuesday morning, Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney Stanak held a celebration to officially open a segment from the first phase of this project.A portion of the Champlain Parkway between Home Avenue and Lakeside Avenue is scheduled to be opened following a ribbon cutting ceremony that will include state and federal leaders.The opening marks a significant advancement in the project after decades of delays.Once construction started back up last summer, the project has been tracking months ahead of schedule, according to officials.In addition to connecting the South End of Burlington to the interstate, the project will also add lanes for cyclists and pedestrians as well as new stormwater systems to prevent runoff into Lake Champlain.And for those who are growing tired …