Transportation Planning Process

Annually, VTrans proposes to the General Assembly a multi-year transportation program containing a proposed project list. VTrans takes the lead in the transportation planning process (see Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 19, §10b and §10g), but all projects must be approved by the General Assembly. In formulating the transportation program, VTrans is required by statute to use a numerical grading system to assign a priority rating to paving, road, bridge, safety and traffic operation projects, and to provide a description of how the ratings were assigned. The system requires consideration of asset management factors, the priority rating from regional planning commissions and the state's one MPO, economic impact, and cultural and social effects on surrounding communities. VTrans also voluntarily uses this system to prioritize projects in other modes. State law also requires VTrans to coordinate efforts with the Climate Change Oversight Committee and local and regional planning entities.

Legislative Role in Transportation Planning

The House and Senate Transportation Committees receive VTrans' proposed transportation program each January and solicit testimony from VTrans officials before voting to approve it in the annual transportation bill. The General Assembly adopts the program and the VTrans budget, except as specifically modified in the bill. If the governor certifies a transportation project as essential to the state's economic infrastructure, a committee of legislators may approve the project without explicit authorization through an enacted transportation program. Otherwise, no money can be spent on any project unless it is included in the transportation program, which requires legislative approval.