“Crumbling infrastructure will not heal itself”

Governor Phil Scott, Secretaries Julie Moore and Joe Flynn, and community leaders February 23 highlighted the importance of securing the $150 million dollars in federal match funding, proposed in the Governor’s fiscal year 2024 budget request, to support critical infrastructure projects for communities across the state.
“In order to get the highest return for Vermont and take full advantage of recently passed federal programs, it’s critical that we ensure we have the state matching funds required,” said Governor Scott. “Our economists predict the significant revenue windfalls that resulted from federal pandemic aid to start tapering off, so it’s imperative we reserve this funding now, guaranteeing we have access to critical funds that will support hundreds of communities and benefit hundreds of thousands of Vermonters.”
Katie Buckley from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Rutland Mayor Davis Allaire joined the Governor to voice their support for ensuring Vermont sets aside the funding needed to take full advantage of federal opportunities.
“Crumbling infrastructure will not heal itself. New infrastructure to meet our housing crisis and climate initiatives and make us safer and more resilient will not just magically appear. All of it is necessary,” said Katie Buckley of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. “If we do it now, Vermonters win. If we do it later, Vermonters lose. We will put this work off and onto the backs of our taxpayers, with a growing price tag, and we push Vermont into a deeper crisis of affordability. Our towns, cities and villages are waiting for the State to do deliver the federal dollars so they can do their part to make transformational changes in their communities. We are grateful to the Governor and his Administration for working so hard bring these dollars forward to ensure this happens.”
“Good government is also about anticipating needs and being proactive, and having a degree of certainty helps people plan,” said David Allaire, mayor of Rutland. “That’s why I think it makes all kinds of sense for the State to set money aside now – while we have it in surpluses – to ensure we can take full advantage of federal funds in the years to come – when we don’t know if state coffers will be as full.”
During the Agency of Transportation’s budgetary process, an analysis determined the Agency would need an additional $79 million from fiscal year 2024 through 2026 to make full use of eligible opportunities for the State to secure federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With this $79 million investment, the State could secure a minimum of $341.5 million in federal aid for eligible planned transportation infrastructure projects.
“The Governor’s recommended budget presents a use of one-time General Funds surplus to make vital transportation infrastructure investments possible,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “On top of all the benefits of securing this funding while we have the one-time money available, it would allow us to lock in projects now, which has tremendous value. Given the reality of the inflationary factor in the construction sector, any project delayed now would almost certainly cost more later, so acting now is critical.”
Investing this money now ensures the state can secure at least four federal dollars for every one State dollar, and can help prevent future project delays, which would have a cascading effect. For example, according to the Agency of Transportation, delaying a FY 24 project to FY 25 would require additional FY 25 projects to be delayed, creating more delays in FY 26, all of which could result in an estimated potential project impact of up to $655.5 million.
This match funding will support 223 projects, including 74 paving projects, 46 roadway projects, 16 bicycle and pedestrian projects, 10 rest area projects, 10 interstate bridge projects, 40 state highway bridge projects, 17 town highway bridge projects, 1 rail project, 1 aviation project, and 10 public transit projects. If the funding is not secured this year, these projects could have scheduling impacts and delays, and the State will face difficult decisions in the future to secure funding.
For water projects, Vermont is eligible to receive an infusion of nearly $320 million in State revolving loan funds as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The State Revolving Fund program is an Environmental Protection Agency partnership that provides communities grants and low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects.
The State would need to provide $27 million in State match funds to receive its full allotment.
“Water infrastructure is often the most valuable asset a community owns, and therefore requires significant, ongoing investments to properly maintain it,” said Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore. “Based on Agency projections, there will be roughly $2 billion of investment needed in water infrastructure– drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater – over the next 10 years in Vermont. In order to access these federal funds, Vermont needs to provide $27 million in State match, and the Governor’s FY24 recommended Budget creates a reserve that ensures Vermont will have what’s required.”
The funding will be used to support $155 million to refurbish existing drinking water and wastewater systems to ensure this core infrastructure continues to support vibrant communities; nearly $150 million over the next five years to support lead service line replacement projects across Vermont which will improve drinking water quality; and more than $42 million to address emerging contaminants, like PFAS, by improving drinking water and wastewater treatment.
A list of AOT projects by county can be found by clicking here or in the table below. A list of ANR projects can be found by clicking here. You can watch the press conference by clicking here.
County | Program | Project Name | Project Number | Route | Brief Project Description |
Addison County | Paving | ADDISON | STP FPAV(75) | VT-17 | Resurface VT17 |
MIDDLEBURY-HANCOCK | STP FPAV(84) | VT-125 | Resurface VT125 | ||
ORWELL-ADDISON | STP PS25(2) | VT-22A | Resurface VT22A | ||
Roadway Projects | ADDISON | STP 0172(10) | VT-125 | VT125 Slope Remediation | |
CORNWALL | STP 0172(8) | VT-125 | Slope/Roadway Stabilization | ||
MIDDLEBURY | STP 021-1(37) | VT-116 | Scope BR 3 on VT116 | ||
ORWELL | STP 017-1(18) | VT-22A | Reconstruct Shoulders, Widen | ||
State Highway Bridges | FERRISBURGH | BF 019-4(35) | US-7 | Replace BR 139 on US7 | |
GRANVILLE | BM20407 | VT-100 | Rehab BR 159 | ||
VERGENNES | BF 017-1(19) | VT-22A | Replace BR 27 on VT22A | ||
Bike & Pedestrian Facilities | MIDDLEBURY | STP BP15(8) | Exchange Street | Construct Sidewalk | |
MIDDLEBURY | STP BP13(11) | RT. 73 | Construct Sidewalk & Curbing | ||
VERGENNES | ST BP23(9) | Triangle Bike Loop | Way-Finding Signs | ||
Bennington County | Paving | BENNINGTON | STP PS25(10) | VT-67A | Resurface VT67A |
SHAFTSBURY-BENNINGTON | STP PS25(9) | VT-67 | Resurface VT67 | ||
State Highway Bridges | DORSET | BF 019-2(25) | US-7 | Replace Deck, BR 52 on US7 | |
READSBORO | BF 0102(16) | VT-100 | Replace BR 25 on VT100 | ||
SEARSBURG | BF 010-1(50) | VT-9 | Replace BR 20 on VT9 | ||
SHAFTSBURY | STP 014-1(6) | VT-67 | Replace BR 1 on VT67 | ||
SUNDERLAND | BM20102 | US-7 | Rehab BR 19-5 | ||
Town Highway Bridges | BENNINGTON | BF 1000(20) | VT-9 | Replace BR 6 on VT9 | |
Bike & Pedestrian Facilities | BENNINGTON | STP BP15(2) | Shared Use Path | Shared-Use Path | |
SUNDERLAND | ST BP23(8) | Sunderland Hill Road | Construct Bike/Ped Shoulder | ||
Caledonia County | Paving | BURKE-BARTON | STP PS26(1) | US-5 | Resurface US5 |
DANVILLE-ST. JOHNSBURY | NH PS23(2) | US-2 | Resurface US2 | ||
LYNDON-BURKE | STP FPAV(62) | US-5 | Resurface US5 | ||
RYEGATE-ST. JOHNSBURY | STP FPAV(65) | US-5 | Resurface US5 | ||
ST. JOHNSBURY | STP PS23(3) | US-2 | Resurface US2 | ||
Roadway Projects | CABOT-DANVILLE | FEGC F 028-3(26)C/3 | US-2 | Reconstruct US 2 | |
GROTON | STP CULV(119) | VT-232 | Replace Culvert on VT232 | ||
LYNDON | STP 0113(65) | US-5 | Reconstruct US5 | ||
RYEGATE | IM 091-2(83) | I-91 | Ledge Work, I-91 NB | ||
Bike & Pedestrian Facilities | LYNDONVILLE | ST BP23(6) | Elm St. | Elm St. Sidewalk | |
Rest Areas | LYNDON | IM REST(20) | I-91 | Replace Sidewalks | |
WATERFORD | IM REST(21) | I-93 | Replace Sidewalks | ||
WATERFORD | IM 093-1(14) | I-93 | Resurface W. C. Parking Lot | ||
Chittenden County | Paving | COLCHESTER-ESSEX | NH PS24(11) | VT-15 | Resurface VT15 |
COLCHESTER-MILTON | STP PS26(4) | US-7 | Resurface US7 | ||
ESSEX-FAIRFAX | STP FPAV(85) | VT-128 | Resurface VT128 | ||
HINESBURG-SOUTH BURLINGTON | STP PS25(8) | VT-116 | Resurface VT116 | ||
ST. GEORGE-WILLISTON | STP PS26(7) | VT-2A | Resurface VT2A | ||
Roadway Projects | BURLINGTON | BREP(3) | RAILYARD ENTERPRISE | Multimodal Infrastructure | |
COLCHESTER | STP 5600(20) | Prim Road/West Lakeshore Drive | Improve Prim Rd/W. Lakeshore | ||
ESSEX | NH SWFR(4) | VT-289 | Stormwater Retrofit | ||
RICHMOND | STP CULV(58) | US-2 | Rehab Culvert on US2 | ||
SOUTH BURLINGTON | IM SWFR(3) | US-7 | Stormwater Retrofit | ||
WILLISTON | STP 5500(20) | US-2 | Slab Removal | ||
WILLISTON | NH CULV(110) | VT-2A | Rehab/Replace VT2A Culvert | ||
Interstate Bridges | RICHMOND | IM 089-2( ) | US-2 | Rehab BR 53N | |
RICHMOND | IM 089-2( ) | Maj-0209 | Rehab BR 55S | ||
State Highway Bridges | BUEL’S GORE | BF 0200(11) | VT-17 | Scoping to Evaluate Alts. | |
Town Highway Bridges | JERICHO | BF 0209(10) | Maj-0209 | Scoping For BR 15 on FAS 0209 | |
Bike & Pedestrian Facilities | BURLINGTON | ST BP23(3) | Birchcliff Parkway Raised Walks | Raised Walks | |
Essex County | Paving | BRIGHTON-NORTON | STP PS25(3) | VT-147 | Resurface VT147 |
GUILDHALL-BLOOMFIELD | STP FPAV(83) | VT-102 | Resurface VT102 | ||
NORTON-CANAAN | STP FPAV(71) | VT-253 | Resurface VT114 | ||
Roadway Projects | CANAAN | STP CULV(117) | VT-114 | Replace Culvert on VT114 | |
NORTON | STP CULV(118) | VT-114 | Replace Culvert on VT114 | ||
State Highway Bridges | BLOOMFIELD | BF 0271(27) | VT-102 | Scoping to Evaluate Alts. | |
LUNENBURG | BF 028-4(34) | US-2 | Scoping to Evaluate Alts. | ||
NORTON | BF 0321(21) | VT-114 | Replace BR 41 on VT114 | ||
Franklin County | Paving | FAIRFAX-ST. ALBANS | STP FPAV(66) | VT-104 | Resurface VT104 |
GEORGIA-FAIRFAX | STP PS26(6) | VT-104A | Resurface VT104A | ||
MONTGOMERY-WESTFIELD | STP PS24(8) | VT-242 | Resurface VT242 | ||
SHELDON-ENOSBURG | STP FPAV(68) | VT-105 | Resurface VT105 | ||
ST. ALBANS TOWN-SWANTON | STP PS25(7) | VT-207 | Resurface US7 | ||
ST. ALBANS-SHELDON |
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Categories: State Government
The demoprogs, just like their counterparts in DC are much more interested in spending public money on “social infrastructure”…
Bridges and roads dont vote…people do.
Governor Scott, with what and how are the all those roads and projects going to built and/or fixed? Fossil fuel based products and machinery? How dare you!
Ford Motor Company just stopped sales of the governor’s new F150 Lightening EV truck due to faulty batteries. Vermont makes another great investment. They bought another dud to show how great the electric vehicles are and while traveling Vermont in this new wonder of wonders, was abandoned out of juice and unable to get the Gov to his next appointment. Seems the state leadership needs to do more research on everything. They have to learn the hard way while spending the taxpayer’s money on virtue signaling and being woke.
Any capitol investment is a grift and the results don’t lie – broadband, solar power, wind power, computer/software upgrades, Kingdom Con, etc. etc.
“ Crumbling infrastructure will not heal itself..”
LOL…. Stop supporting the corrupt cement industry in build with Vermont stone. They last forever.
No, the Democrats would allot. Bought and sold.