WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large) today welcomed $51 million in funding for Vermont from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief (ER) Program to reimburse Vermont for the costs of repairs caused by flooding in July and December 2023.  

“Devastating flooding has destroyed roads and highways across Vermont, and federal assistance is necessary to offset the extensive costs the State has incurred. When disaster strikes, states and localities act quickly—no matter the cost. This federal funding is an important part of the long process of rebuilding more resiliently after flooding, and underscores the need for our colleagues in Congress to act quickly to pass critically important disaster aid funding,” said the lawmakers. 

This funding from the FHWA ER Program was authorized by the annual appropriations process supporting the Highway Trust Fund. This funding will offset the cost of repairs for the following, among other projects:  

1. $49,419,374 in FY24 FHWA ER Program funds to reimburse Vermont for repairs following catastrophic flash flooding across the State in July 2023, which caused washouts of roads and bridges, land and mudslides, and property losses.  
2. $1,734,500 in FY24 FHWA ER Program funds to reimburse Vermont for repairs following severe flooding across Vermont in December 2023 caused by heavy rain and snow melt. The flash flooding caused pavement damage, structural damage, shoulder erosion, mudslides, and other damage.  

This funding is in addition to previous rounds of FHWA ER funds awarded to Vermont, including $10 million in quick-release ER funds in August of 2023 and $37.77 million in FHWA ER funds allocated to the state in January 2024.

The July 2023 floods caused extensive road and infrastructure damage, including 46 state roads closed (totaling 181.5 miles), countless culverts, 409 miles of rail closed, 149 miles of rail trail closed, and 64 State bridges closed.   

The FHWA supports state and local governments with the maintenance of our highway system. The ER program helps support communities through natural disasters and provides critical support for recovery and resiliency efforts.   

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