Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56Summer 2016 | 21 By Cindy Locke The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) has gone through many years of planning and changes. The future of the trail is looking bright due to more participation from volunteers, other user groups and a larger presence by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). At this time, VAST has completed 32 of the 93 total trail miles. Another section will be connected with the completion of work to the historic Bridge 68 in Cambridge Junction. On June 23, VAST held ribbon cuttings on the LVRT in all the towns where the completed section of the trail run through. The events started in St. Johnsbury at 9 a.m. and continued on to West Danville, Morrisville, Hyde Park and Johnson. We ended in the afternoon at Cambridge Junction. VAST was represented by staff, board directors and members of the LVRT Committee. In attendance representing VTrans was the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Rob Ide. Senator Richard Westman of Lamoille county and Senator Jane Kitchel of Caledonia county joined us for the entire day. Representatives from Senator Leahy’s office and Congressman Welch’s office aslo attended several of the ribbon cuttings. Many volunteers and supporters of the trail also turned out for the occasion. Senator Rich Westman of Lamoille County introduced legislation into the Transportation Bill that was supported by Senate Transportation and the Secretary of Transportation Chris Cole, that would allow VTrans to match $400,000 of fundraising done by VAST during this year. Up to an additional one million dollars will be matched in 2017. This fundraising is not coming from snowmobiling or VAST memberships. It is a specific fundraiser to finish this trail that, when complete, will be one of VAST’s longest trails in Vermont and connects with more than 500 miles of other VAST trails. Go to www.lvrt.org to make a donation today! Trailhead Ribbon Cuttings (Beth Godin photos)