Governor Peter Shumlin today announced that 18 Vermont communities will receive a combined $2.9 million for transportation enhancements projects.
In keeping with Legislative intent that priority be given to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, the lion’s share of this year’s awards went to sidewalks, bike paths and scoping studies for future pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Additional awards were given for the restoration of an historic covered bridge, enhancement of the state’s welcome centers, and studies to determine the feasibility of future projects.
A full list of the awards is provided below.
‘The seed money provided by these grants will help communities enhance their livability as well as their economy,’ Gov. Shumlin said. ‘Helping our communities be places for walking and cycling increases their vitality. During tough economic times, it is critical for the state to partner with local governments to fund important transportation improvements that local cities and towns otherwise could not afford.’
Since 1995, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has annually awarded enhancements grants to communities and non-profit organizations for a wide range of federally-eligible projects such as restoring historic buildings, rebuilding and extending sidewalks, enhancing the environment, bike paths, purchasing scenic easements and repairing historic bridges.
Since the program’s inception, more than 350 grant awards have been made to Vermont communities totaling over $46 million.
This year, 24 grant applications were received. Following a review by VTrans to affirm project eligibility, the applications were then considered by a Transportation Enhancement Grant Committee, which made the awards. VTrans’ staff will provide technical project assistance and oversight to grant recipients as their projects work their way through the development process.
Vermont’s Transportation Enhancement program is a federal-aid reimbursement program. The federal government reimburses 80 percent of a project’s cost, while the recipient local community or non-profit organization pays the 20 percent non-federal match.
Source: Governor's office. Specific questions about the Transportation Enhancements Grant Program may be answered by calling Kevin Russell, Enhancement Program Coordinator at 802-828-0583.
Transportation Grants Awarded for 2011:
Town
Title/Activity
Requested Amount
Rutland City
Rutland Creek Path
$300,000.00
South Hero (Local Motion)
Causeway Bike Ferry
$300,000.00
St. Albans City
Pedestrian Enhancements
$300,000.00
Castleton
Castleton Corners Sidewalk
$300,000.00
Jamaica
Jamaica Village Sidewalk
$293,894.00
Killington
Killington Road Walkway
$255,120.00
Williston
Route 2A Multi-Use Path
$208,805.83
Northfield
Village Common Implementation, Sidewalks
$200,000.00
Hyde Park
Depot Street Sidewalk
$146,200.00
Pittsford
Pittsford Sidewalk
$140,369.00
Barre Town
Bridge Street Sidewalk
$131,520.00
Guilford
Green River Covered Bridge Preservation
$123,680.00
Bennington
Middle Street Sidewalk
$60,800.00
Morristown-Stowe (LCPC)
Multi-use Path Scoping Study
$38,724.00
Statewide
Visitor Center Sculpture Interpretation
$37,040.00
Killington
Streetscape Scoping Study
$30,000.00
Hartford
Rt. 5, I89 Interchange Pedestrian Scoping Study
$20,000.00
E. Montpelier
Bicycle and Pedestrian Scoping Study
$20,000.00