Montpelier, Vt. – The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved $500,000 in emergency relief funding following the Halloween rainstorm that left widespread damage throughout Vermont. These emergency funds will assist the Vermont Agency of Transportation in repairs to roads on the federal highway system damaged during the October 31-November 1 storm event.
“This funding is a critical step toward restoring Vermont’s infrastructure after this devastating storm,” Governor Phil Scott said. “I’m grateful to all of the emergency responders and road crews for their ongoing service in these efforts.”
In addition to this emergency support for federal roads, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently completed a damage assessment of public local roads to determine if the state also qualifies for a federal Public Assistance disaster declaration. Those funds would go to reimburse municipalities for 75% of response and public infrastructure repairs following the storm. Governor Scott will make a formal request for that declaration in the coming weeks.
The severe storm and flooding are estimated to have caused more than $5 million in damages to state, local, and federal roads in Vermont. Vermont Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn requested emergency funds from the Federal Highway Administration, and the state has been granted a quick release of $500,000 for VTrans to begin emergency repairs to the federal system. Remaining federal highway funds will likely be released as the work is completed. Repairs on some of the most heavily damaged infrastructure may extend out 24 months.
“The state has placed a high priority on emergency management planning, particularly since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011,” Secretary Flynn said. “We were prepared for this, we activated swiftly, and our crews out in the field worked diligently to get roadways re-opened as quickly as possible.”
Additionally, communities in Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans and Washington counties will be considered for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for repairs to local public infrastructure.