b'VAST NewsSTATE OF VERMONT ALLOCATES FUNDING TO COMPLETE LVRTBy Peggy Whiteneck,VAST/LVRT Associate The Vermont legislature has approved funding in the states capital bill to accelerate completion of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). In 2013, the state had entered into a contract with the non-profit Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) giving the latter responsibility for construction and maintenance of the state-owned, all-season recreational and commuter trail. VAST Executive Director Cindy Locke said VAST welcomes the shift of construction responsibility to the state. After years of working intensively on fundraising for the trail, it was becoming increasingly obvious that a small nonprofit like VAST just doesntwill be responsible in the near term for(NBRC) federal grant to match $50,000 have the ability to attract significanttrail maintenance and repairs. Thelocal funds raised in Hardwick. Also enough levels of private funding tocost of maintaining and repairing thein the works is redecking two bridges substantially advance a project as bigtrail is significant because of downedeast of town. as the LVRT; it would have taken ustrees and washouts caused by serious decades to do what the state can dostorms that have hit the trail in recentThe states capital allocation much faster.years, said Ken Brown, LVRT/ to complete the trail has been The full route of the trail extends acrossTrails Manager at VAST. The townsenthusiastically supported by five counties in northern Vermont, aalong the trail are also assisting withGovernor Phil Scott, who cites total of 93 miles from St Johnsbury toseasonal maintenance and mowing.the significance of the LVRT as an Swanton. VAST has already completedFuture private donations to VASTeconomic generator for the state just over 33 miles of that trail, withfor the LVRT will be used for trailand the small towns in and along its assistance from a federal fundingmaintenance and repairs. Brown saidroute. The importance of healthy, safe allocation obtained by the Vermontthat recent repair projects have beenoutdoor recreation in maintaining congressional delegation in thebeen slowed because of the impact ofthe physical and mental health of middleof the 2000s, additional federalthe Covid pandemic.Vermonters has been highlighted by funds allocated by VTrans once thatthe Covid-19 epidemic. funding ran out, and donations fromVAST will be completing two projectsThe completed sections of the trail foundations and other private donors.in the town of Hardwick, whichhave also accentuated the LVRT as Locke said, We are extremely gratefulwere begun prior to the state fundingan important tourist draw. The town to the individual donors and privateproposal: Re-decking two bridges eastof Danville, for example, sees the foundations who have made it possibleof the village is nearly complete usingLVRT as a critical tool in connecting its for us to complete the initial miles ofa $200,000 Northern Border Regionalcommunity assets such as Joes Pond, the trail, and we extend to them ourCommission (NBRC) grant supportedDanville Village, and local businesses. sincere and heartfelt thanks! by $50,000 raised locally in Hardwick; a one-mile section through the heartThe 60 miles of trail yet to be Ken Brown, LVRT Project Managerof the village will be upgradedcompleted will run through the at VAST, added, It was the supportusing a federal grant throughtowns of Hardwick, Walden, of those donors, both local and out- VTrans Municipal Assistance BureauWolcott, Morristown, Cambridge, of-state, and the positive impact ofsupported by local Hardwick funds,Fletcher, Bakersfield, Fairfield, completed sections of the trail on localother LVRT donations, and $50,000Sheldon, Highgate, and Swanton. small businesses that convinced theallocated by the state in 2019. The LVRT serves as the connecting state that the LVRT was too good aPending transition to the state, VASTspine to several other significant resource to leave on the back burner. will continue working with the Townrecreational trails in Vermont and The states allocation for completingof Hardwick to complete a smallCanada, including the Long Trail, the the trail is $2.8 million, which willsection of the trail this summer,Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, and the be matched by $11.3 million in 4:1supported by various privateCambridge Greenway, as well as the matching federal funds. The statedonations matched by federal dollarsVAST snowmobile trails network. plans to complete construction of thethrough VTrans, and a $200,000When completed, the LVRT will be the trail by the end of summer 2023.VASTNorthern Border Regional Commissionlongest rail trail in New England.Summer 2020 | 9'