VTrans, consultants brief Chittenden County TAC on Statewide Rail and Freight Plan updates

VTrans staff and consultants on Sept. 1 briefed the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) on updates to the Statewide Rail and Freight Plans, outlining project scope, schedule, public outreach and preliminary freight and passenger-rail findings.

Why it matters: The plans inform how freight and passenger movements are managed across Vermont's rail network and influence local land-use and emergency-planning decisions near rail lines.

Zoe Neaderland and Dave Pelletier of VTrans, joined by Chris Lamm and Brian Stewart of Cambridge Systematics and Shawna Kitzman of FHI, described the distinction between the two efforts: the Rail Plan covers freight and intercity passenger rail and is updated every four years per Federal Railroad Administration guidance; the Freight Plan covers rail, highway, air and water freight and follows a five-year update cycle under the Federal Highway Administration. The consultants said the Rail Plan focuses on rail-specific data while the Freight Plan will consider broader freight movements.

Mary Anne Michaels said the data show that "85% of rail traffic on Vermont owned railroads starts and/or ends in Vermont," a point that attendees said underscores the local nature of much rail freight in the state. Charlie Baker, CCRPC executive director, asked about the top origin and destination counties; presenters listed origins including Chittenden, Windham and Washington counties and destinations including Rutland, Franklin and Chittenden counties.

Committee members raised operational and planning concerns. Dean Bloch asked whether sidings were included in the map layers and whether emergency-preparedness plans account for freight stored on sidings outside urban cores; presenters said siding information is not readily available and is not yet included as a map layer. Jonathon Weber suggested that passenger-rail stations include secure, covered bike parking and charging for e-assist bicycles; Zoe Neaderland said station amenities are being considered but commuter rail between cities is outside the current project scope.

Consultants demonstrated an online webmap intended to share information and solicit public input. They said more outreach is planned for November and December 2020, a town hall is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2020 from 4-5 p.m., and project completion is targeted for January 2021. The presentation and related materials will be posted on the TAC webpage.

Next steps: presenters asked committee members to share the webmap and outreach dates with local constituents and noted a mailing address will be available for residents without internet access.