Burlington, Vermont - October 26, 2011
Some of the road repairs made after Tropical Storm Irene may not hold up to Vermont's harsh winter and spring weather.
State and local highway crews have repaired hundreds of washouts since the storm's flood waters devastated the state at the end of August. Much of the work is considered temporary -- aimed at getting roads passable to reconnect communities. And as the state prepares for winter snow and spring, engineers don't know how the repairs will hold up. Transportation officials are warning travelers to be cautious of changing conditions in areas that have been under construction.
But for the most part, state officials are pleased with the progress. Nearly 500 miles of state highway closed by Irene have been repaired along with 200 bridges that were damaged or destroyed. Only 19 miles of state highways remain closed. A section of Route 107 in Stockbridge and portions of Route 131 in Cavendish and Route 106 in Weathersfield. And only three bridges are still closed -- two on Route 12A in Roxbury and one on Route 12 in Barnard.
