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VTrans warns federal action will shape programming; CCRPC approves $900,000 TIP amendment for Exit 16
Summary
VTrans chief engineer Jeremy Reed told the CCRPC board the state program is constrained and depends on federal reauthorization; the board approved a minor TIP amendment adding about $900,000 to Exit 16 to meet an end‑of‑September traffic‑pattern milestone.
Jeremy Reed, chief engineer for the Vermont Agency of Transportation, told the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission at its July 15 meeting that the state’s construction program is full and will be shaped by what Congress does on surface‑transportation reauthorization this fall. “This is a snapshot in time,” Reed said, noting that whether Washington enacts a continuing resolution or a new authorization will determine how many projects the state can move forward.
Reed walked the board through VTrans’ tiered sequencing for bringing projects into the construction program — from continuation of ongoing projects to dependencies and readiness projects — and emphasized criteria such as safety, asset condition, mobility, resiliency and geographic equity. He said the agency’s current programmed project budget is roughly $325,000,000, with about $100,000,000 targeted for paving and $100,000,000 for bridges; of bridge funds, he said about 55% goes to the interstate system, 25% to the state system and 20% to town highways.
Reed cautioned that paving and roadway projects have shorter life cycles and therefore turn over the program more quickly; he gave a range for treatment costs, saying preservation work can be near $300,000 per mile while complex town‑highway treatments can run over $1,000,000 per mile. “We program and deliver those projects a lot faster,” he said, adding that federal funding shares can vary and the agency seeks to maximize federal participation where possible.
Board members pressed on local engagement, project readiness and revenue. Reed said VTrans now routinely hosts local meetings, conducts site visits and reviews record plans as part of project development. On revenue, he outlined recent state match recoveries and said the agency is on schedule to implement a mileage‑based user fee for electric vehicles in January 2027, a change that could affect long‑term transportation revenue.
On routine business tied to VTrans work, the board approved a minor TIP amendment that adds approximately $900,000 in FY26 to the Exit 16 project to help complete traffic‑pattern changes before the end of September. The amendment was presented in the packet, recommended by staff and the TAC, moved by Jeff Carr and seconded by Catherine; MPO members present voted aye and the motion passed.
Staff also told the board that a separate, time‑sensitive TIP amendment related to the Winooski–Burlington bridge arrived too late to include in the packet and will be routed to the executive committee for approval in August so VTrans can meet mid‑August bid deadlines. Staff said they will circulate details to Winooski and Burlington representatives once available.
The board will receive a copy of Reed’s slide deck and related materials for members who did not receive them in advance.
