[T]he House gave preliminary approval to two crucial transportation bills on Tuesday, paving the way for new fees and programs aimed at bolstering Vermont’s roads, rails and bridges.
The so-called T bill, H.876, also addresses transportation-related issues, from clarifying bicyclists’ rights and obligations to restricting large vehicles from traversing town highways.
Transportation spending will be $618 million in fiscal year 2017, about $2 million more than the current year. The overall transportation budget has increased 75 percent since 2006 from $354 million to $618 million over the decade.
This year’s budget includes $111 million for paving roads, $105 million for bridge infrastructure, and $91 million for maintenance — personnel, equipment and materials.
The state’s contribution to the town highway program will decrease dramatically — by $26.9 million in fiscal year 2017. Most of the decrease is attributable to a drop in federal funding for Tropical Storm Irene-related projects. The Agency of Transportation says the budget for towns is otherwise level funded.
The state will spend $31 million on public transportation (up from $27 million in FY2016), $34 million on rail, $20 million on aviation (up from $16 million in FY2016) and $17.4 million on traffic safety.
The proposal increases spending on biking and pedestrian improvements from $6 million to $10 million.
New infrastructure projects include work on Route 2A and a rail project in the state’s western corridor. The train project, estimated to cost $26.4 million, will replace roughly 11 miles of track between Rutland and Burlington. Vermont was awarded $10 million in federal money for the project.
Under the legislation, the Agency of Transportation is required to manage dirty stormwater through municipal sewage system improvements.
The bill also establishes 19 permanent positions within the Agency of Transportation and extends five limited service positions. The positions range from maintenance staff to bridge designers.
Two permanent positions would be related to improving water quality in the state, according to a bill summary.
Under H.876, the AOT must create a rating system for prioritizing state projects, and the Transportation Board is required to provide oversight of state spending for projects that go over budget.
The bill also aims to improve safety at Quechee Gorge following an uptick in suicides, directing AOT to complete a review of how to best increase safety on the bridge that overlooks the 165-foot drop.
In H.877, the transportation funding bill, sets a number of tax rates for transportation-related purchases.
An increase in Department of Motor Vehicle fees raises $9.5 million for transportation funding. Enhanced driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and license plates will go up slightly.
The two bills are scheduled for their third and final reading Wednesday before they go to the Senate, where little objection is expected.
For more information, read the AOT Powerpoint on the fiscal year 2017 transportation budget.
