The influx of stimulus dollars has brought the level of transportation spending in Vermont in the last two years to new heights.

In the last two fiscal years, a total of $400 million has been budgeted for pavement and bridge projects throughout the state, said John Zicconi, the director of planning, outreach and community affairs for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. “That’s territory we have never seen before - and those were the two heaviest years for stimulus,” he said.

Although the entire amount is not stimulus funds, the budget has been bolstered by huge sums of federal dollars. This calendar year, Zicconi anticipates construction spending upwards of $200 million. In 2009, $150 million was spent. “Normally we would run around $120 million to $130 million,” he said. The increase is a direct result of the federal stimulus.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation says 809 jobs have been created at 72 road projects as a result of the stimulus funds. The state was given $142.9 million of stimulus funds for the projects. That funding is just part of the $279.3 million the state has received for transportation, energy and other shovel-ready projects as of May 1, according to the Vice President Joe Biden's office. (Note: The figures include the cost of the programs as well as the payroll costs.)

Those funds have, in turn, created jobs at private companies in Vermont such as Berlin-based L&D Safety Marking Corp.  To help meet the demand to repaint roads and install new signs, the company added a dozen Vermonters to the work force last year, said Debra Ricker, the company’s vice president.   

Forty-five of the company’s 62 workers live in Vermont. 

“We are working everywhere,” she said. “We striped both Interstates border to border,” she said last week referring to Interstates 89 and 91. “Today, I think I got a crew in Derby. We are working on eight to 10 jobs each week. …  I think almost every job we had this year had some stimulus money.”

The dozen jobs L & D Safety Marking created with stimulus funds helps fill a desperate need for jobs. “We were just bombarded,” she said of the number of applicants they had for the positions. “It was a loud statement to how many people were unemployed in the area.”

Zicconi said three bridge projects are currently under way with stimulus dollars: a $1.4 million bridge on Vermont 14 in East Montpelier, a $1.9 million of bridge work on Vermont 118 in Berkshire and $1.7 million project on the Taylor Street Bridge in Montpelier. All three projects are being built by Vermont-based construction companies, he noted. 

Stimulus funds are being used to build or rehabilitate 20 bridges throughout Vermont, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Six of the bridge projects have been completed.

Towns throughout Vermont are completing projects that have been lingering for years. Richmond, for example, had a bridge repaired with stimulus dollars last year and now is using stimulus dollars to complete smaller infrastructure projects.

“We have been planning and dreaming about this stuff for years,” Erik Filkorn, chair of Richmond Selectboard. "But to actually have the money, it’s been great. “

To read more about the stimulus program's impact in Vermont, click here.