Investment is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
READSBORO, VT – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement of a $25.8 million investment to help replace the Readsboro Bridge over the Deerfield River. The federal funding, provided through DOT’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program and made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will improve and help complete street enhancements, create accessible sidewalks, and improve safety in Readsboro.
“Bolstering Vermont’s infrastructure is crucial to ensuring the safety, security, and success of families, workers, and people traveling through the Green Mountain State. We’re pleased to see this investment of more than $25 million, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, benefit Bennington County,” said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. “The replacement of the Readsboro Bridge will boost southern Vermont’s critical infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility, and make Readsboro more resilient to extreme weather.”
“The need to update our infrastructure is something we can all agree on and is long overdue in many of our rural towns,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Making smart investments in projects like this one is important to revitalizing our communities for Vermonters and visitors.”
“The bridge project has been long overdue, and the community has been patient and cooperative throughout the process,” said Vermont Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “This grant money ensures construction while stretching Agency funds further for infrastructure improvements.”
The Readsboro Bridge (No. 25) is in Bennington County and crosses the Deerfield River. It is located about five miles north of VT Route 100 and VT Route 8. The existing bridge, built in 1954, is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The new bridge will incorporate historic preservation features to honor the character and history of the bridge and will have a wider sidewalk for pedestrians to cross safely while reducing vehicle traffic. The improved bridge will also be built to better withstand extreme weather events driven by climate change—including Vermont’s floods of 2023 and 2024—with improved drainage systems.
The Vermont Congressional Delegation urged Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to support the replacement of the Readsboro Bridge in March 2024.
Learn more about how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has supported Vermont.
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