[V]ermont’s congressional delegation announced more than $1 million in federal funding to repair the Colchester Causeway Friday, after a 2018 storm eroded large sections of the recreational path.
Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allocate $1,153,409 to repair the causeway later this year.
The three-mile trail across Lake Champlain, which was once part of the Rutland Railroad, connects the towns of Colchester and South Hero. In May 2018, a wind storm with gusts up to 80 miles per hour caused waves that eroded large sections of the causeway and shut down the recreation path.
“This storm caused significant damage in several Vermont counties – damage that was beyond the ability of many of our towns to recover from,” the congressmen said in a joint statement.
“That’s why we have a federal disaster recovery program, and we are pleased FEMA recognized the need for federal funding to help restore this popular recreation area as well as other infrastructure damaged in the May storm.”
Though the state moved quickly to fund repairs to open the path for the 2018 biking season, the federal funding will allow for more substantial and permanent repairs to the causeway.
The state, along with the congressional delegation, requested that a federal disaster declaration be made for the 2018 storm for its impact on Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange and Orleans counties — which opened the door for federal recovery assistance.
Aaron Frank, Colchester’s town manager, put out a statement thanking Leahy, Sanders and Welch for their support, along with the state, which provided a 17.5% match for the restoration and mitigation fundings, leaving Colchester with just 7.5% of the financial responsibility.
“Colchester is proud to be the steward of one of the finest sections of bike path in the world,” Frank said.
Construction on the causeway is scheduled for fall 2019 as to avoid path closures during peak use in summer months.
