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Planners voice concern as bike/ped grants shrink amid broader transportation funding gaps
Summary
Commissioners said state and federal transportation dollars are tightening, bicycle/pedestrian grants appear to be reduced or merged, and local project budgets are being held pending further state budget details.
Commissioners raised concern that bicycle and pedestrian grants are being reduced or consolidated, with uncertain next steps for sidewalk and bike-path projects.
"Wanted to mention something on the Bike Path Grants – is that they are going away," Turner said. Members attributed some of the funding pressure to broader declines in state and federal transportation revenue and to changing revenue patterns as electric vehicles reduce fuel-tax receipts.
Dave Traczyk said Vermont Transportation has recently lost funding that affected services such as GMT. Horace Duke added that earlier eras saw more plentiful highway funding and that current shifts require stricter prioritization of projects. The Transportation Advisory Committee’s work plan was delayed by an omitted budget line, and commissioners said they will review the budget when it is provided.
No formal action was taken; commissioners asked staff to follow up with RPC and the Transportation Advisory Committee on the pending budget and possible sidewalk project funding.
