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Vermont transportation chief tells committee 2025 work strengthened bridges, highways and DMV services
Summary
Secretary Joe Flynn told the legislative transportation committee that AOT completed major work in 2025 — including I‑89 Exit 17 reconstruction, 29 rail bridge upgrades and a $50 million DMV core system modernization — and outlined plans to rebuild the central garage with FEMA support.
Secretary Joe Flynn presented the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (AOT) 2025 progress report to the legislative transportation committee on Jan. 8, highlighting major bridge, highway and DMV projects and describing the agency’s priorities for the coming budget cycle.
Flynn said the department finished complex work at I‑89 Exit 17 in Colchester and credited careful staging for "truly very little interruption" to commuters. He told the committee the rail division "reconstructed 29 bridges" in 2025 and that roughly 164 of 171 rail bridges meet the 286,000‑pound freight standard, a significant improvement from about 30% fifteen years ago. "My goal is to highlight the agency accomplishments for 2025," Flynn said during his introduction.
Flynn framed the bridge work as part of an asset‑management approach that aims to "do the right amount of work at the right time at the right place" to extend structure life and avoid more expensive replacements later. He also highlighted rehabilitation projects such as the upcoming work on the Quechee Gorge Bridge, and described local engagement and design sensitivity for historically significant structures.
On facilities, Flynn updated the committee on plans to replace the agency’s central garage. AOT said it purchased roughly 23 acres in Berlin and has received a low bid that falls under FEMA funding guarantees; the department expects to finalize a contract and start construction within about 12 months if negotiations conclude. Flynn emphasized the facility will be administrative and functionally modernized, with parts storage and training space.
The DMV modernization was another focal point. Flynn said the committee-approved $50,000,000 core system replacement was delivered "on time and on budget," moving the department away from an antiquated mainframe era and toward kiosks and streamlined in‑office processes. "This project came off on time and on budget," Flynn said, crediting the Agency of Digital Services and contractor FAST.
Flynn also reviewed pavement and safety trends: preliminary 2025 data show a slight increase in fatal crashes and fatalities, a decline in alcohol involvement and a near doubling of drug involvement in fatal crashes. He warned seat‑belt nonuse remains high among fatalities. The secretary said pavement condition metrics remain a dynamic figure influenced by winter weather and funding levels.
AOT leaders told the committee the agency’s highway division is staffed by roughly 324 full‑time employees and district maintenance by about 506 staff; central garage operations support a fleet AOT values at approximately $75,000,000. Flynn closed by saying the department will return to the committee for further hearings and budget questions.
The committee asked follow‑up questions about timelines for the Quechee Gorge Bridge rehabilitation, central garage procurement, and how AOT balances community concerns with project sequencing. Flynn and his staff committed to provide additional project metrics and to return with more detailed briefings in subsequent sessions.
