VTrans launches Web-based road and bridge information tool

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) today launched VTransparency, a new on-line tool designed to help Vermonters easily access information regarding roads, bridges and culverts.
Whether a bridge, culvert or roadway is in fine shape, being designed for improvement or under construction, VTransparency allows users to access information about transportation assets they will find useful. With just a few clicks of a mouse, Vermonters from their own computers can now access bridge inspection reports, pavement condition reports, and find out where in the process a future project in their neighborhood now stands.
“VTransparency is an innovative new tool that allows Vermonters to access the same information that our engineers use every day to determine whether a road, bridge or culvert is in need of repair,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “And for projects already under construction, VTransparency provides information ranging from project cost to when construction will be completed.”
Using a map interface, VTransparency asks the user to provide an address as a reference point, and then allows the user to seek information about roads, culverts and bridges as far as five miles from that location. The map will display where the transportation assets are located, and all users have to do is click on the asset icon to view information regarding that highway, culvert or bridge.
“The map interface is very easy to use,” Dill said. “And if Vermonters have questions about our projects that the provided information does not answer, the reports contain the names and email addresses of the engineers assigned to every project so that the public can easily seek more information.”
Due to database limitations, searches are limited to bridges longer than 20 feet and culverts greater than 6 feet in diameter. Also, VTrans is charged with maintaining only interstate and state roadways, so VTransparency does not provide information regarding town highways and local streets. However, VTrans does inspect all bridges, so VTransparency provides information about bridges longer than 20 feet even if they are municipally owned.
Source: VTrans. 9.20.2010. To access VTransparency, the public should go to VTrans’ website at http://www.aot.state.vt.us.