Vermont Business Magazine Standing with VTrans Secretary Sue Minter and local transportation officials at the site of a crumbling East Montpelier bridge, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today outlined his bipartisan effort to reach consensus on a long-term transportation infrastructure plan funded by a sustainable revenue source. Most of Vermont's FY 2016 $616 million transportation budget (begun June 30), which includes $116 million for bridges, comes from the federal government. Federal funding for road and bridge infrastructure projects will expire on July 31 if Congress fails to act.
“America’s roads and bridges are crumbling and Vermont’s transportation infrastructure is no exception,” Welch said. “Over the last 6 years, Congress has ducked its responsibility to reliably fund highway projects 33 times. Meanwhile, bridges continue to crumble and potholes are damaging cars and trucks. It is essential that Congress get off the sidelines and pass a long term and sustainable revenue source so that state transportation planners have the certainty they need to plan and execute these projects.”
RELATED STORY: Governor Shumlin signs $616 million 2016 Vermont Transportation Bill
Welch released a letter that he and Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) sent to House leaders urging the use of a special parliamentary maneuver known as “Queen of the Hill” which would allow the House to vote on multiple highway funding options. The proposal with the highest number of votes would become the official position of the House of Representatives. The letter can be read in its entirety BELOW. Welch will vote against any short term extension of the Highway Trust Fund.
Repairs to the bridge at the press conference site, including a three-lane replacement bridge with left turn lane, a new intersection traffic signal, and a 900-foot rebuild of US Route 2, are at risk of being postponed or shut down completely if federal transportation funding expires at the end of the month.
Source: Welch 7.7.2015