Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Statewide Rail Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TAC reviews VTrans Statewide Rail Plan update; members press for Burlington–Essex track upgrades and stronger bike/ped/transit connections
Summary
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee heard VTrans and consultant RSG present updates to the Statewide Rail Plan and urged prioritizing Burlington–Essex track improvements, earlier emphasis on bike/ped/transit connections, and clearer funding communication; public engagement is planned through spring 2025.
At its Nov. 5 meeting, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee heard an update from the Vermont Agency of Transportation and consultant RSG on the Statewide Rail Plan update and pressed for faster action on Burlington–Essex track improvements and on better bike, pedestrian and transit connections.
VTrans project lead Zoe Neaderland introduced the update and Jonathan Slason of RSG summarized the plan process, saying the update will address resilience, safety, climate impacts and equity and will incorporate Corridor Identification work, including recent grants for Vermonter-to-Montreal and Western Ethan Allen extensions. Slason provided a timeline with a Rail Advisory Council meeting in November, public meetings planned for January and March 2025, a draft plan next spring and anticipated acceptance in June 2025.
Why it matters: Members said stronger rail service and targeted track upgrades could support expanded passenger service, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable transit-oriented development around stations. Eleni Churchill (CCRPC staff) argued that bike, pedestrian and transit connections “should be a first priority, not second,” and urged elevating improvements to the track between Burlington and Essex Junction. Sam Andersen and Jonathon Weber voiced support for those priorities and for considering service extensions such as the Ethan Allen Express.
Discussion details: Members questioned safety data shown in the presentation; Jonathan Slason said he did not have specifics on a 2015 spike noted in slides, and CCRPC staff Christine Forde posted a chat note that an Amtrak derailment near Northfield on Oct. 5, 2015 injured seven people and that the National Transportation Safety Board attributed the derailment to a rock slide. Joe Segale asked about equity screening metrics in FHWA’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST); Slason said CEJST uses language, disability and income but not race or ethnicity and cautioned it is “not a great tool for Vermont.”
Funding and priorities: Members asked how funding aligns with priorities. Slason and VTrans’ Dave Pelletier said funding guidance is used to inform where to spend time and resources but is not a strict, formulaic tie to priority rankings; discretionary grants and state transportation funds will be among possible funding sources. Slason recommended improving communication about where funds could be applied.
Public engagement and materials: Slason pointed TAC members to the VTrans rail webpage and an interactive web map for public comments; he encouraged members and partners to submit comments during the November feedback period and noted staff will prioritize in December. A short outreach blurb for partners was requested by a member and presenters indicated project materials and a short video are available on the web page.
Votes at a glance: At the start of the meeting the TAC approved the consent agenda (moved by Sam Andersen, seconded by Jonathon Weber) and approved the Oct. 1, 2024 minutes (moved by Joe Segale, seconded by Jonathon Weber); both motions passed unanimously.
The TAC will have additional opportunities to comment during the public meetings in early 2025 and the Rail Advisory Council meeting scheduled in November.
