(Host) Tropical Storm Irene tore apart the state’s transportation budget as it ravaged Vermont’s road and bridge network.
On Wednesday, lawmakers got some preliminary figures on the costs associated with Irene. And they learned that state highway projects are at risk of being delayed or canceled unless Congress steps in with more money.
VPR’s John Dillon has more:
(Dillon) Lenny LeBlanc is director of finance for the Agency of Transportation. And as LeBlanc sat down in the witness chair before the House and Senate Transportation Committees, he asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.
(LeBlanc) "You’re probably all wondering how much this is going to cost, and how we’re going to pay for it all. And you’re probably hoping I’m going to answer those questions here today. Well, I’m not."
(Dillon) Actually, LeBlanc and other officials did explain Irene, by-the-numbers — at least the numbers the state knows at this point.
The price tag for repairs to the state’s road and bridge network is $500 million and counting. That doesn’t include the costs for towns, so the overall estimate could double.
But federal funding for emergency repairs is capped at $100 million. Congress has so far failed to raise that cap.
And so the bottom line for what Irene will cost Vermont will ultimately be calculated in Washington. Vermont is not alone. States around the country face a billion dollars in need for emergency-related transportation repairs.
(LeBlanc) Congress needs to fill that backlog and pay for those obligations. And then some, before Vermont can continue to receive the emergency relief funds that we’re going to need to address this disaster. And in the interim, we’re re-directing annual federal highway formula funds.
(Dillon) LeBlanc went on to explain that the state has tapped $37 million in federal funds for Irene-related pairs. That’s money that was already set aside for other projects. The state has spent about $22 million so far.
So LeBlanc warned that future road and bridge work – projects that have been planned for years – could be at risk unless Congress acts.
(LeBlanc) In a nutshell, the longer we have to fill those costs associated with Tropical Storm Irene emergency relief effort, the more risk we have at our ability to deliver the transportation program that you all passed.
(Dillon) Officials are already talking about possible delays to bridge replacement projects planned next spring on Interstate 89 in Milton and Interstate 91 in Windsor.
For VPR News, I’m John Dillon in Montpelier.
(Host) On Thursday, Governor Peter Shumlin and other top officials will host a working session with reporters to provide more detail on the costs estimates of Irene.