WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Irene state costs downgraded

Irene state costs downgraded

Montpelier, Vermont - October 31, 2011

Irene's impact on taxpayers is dropping.
    
The cost of road repairs from the tropical storm is being revised downward. Governor Shumlin now says it will take between 175 and 200-million dollars to repair roads and bridges on the state system.  That range is down from an earlier estimate of more than 600-million. The Governor says help from the National Guard and the ability to shut down roads to traffic during repairs cut construction timelines and costs.  He also says recently repaired roads in southern Vermont held up well in the weekend snow.

"You know I am hearing good reports, it wasn't quite as easy as it was pre-Irene, but the agency did an extraordinary job getting the roads opened up and it was a tough storm to deal with because as you know the roads were not frozen, dirt roads are still soft," Gov. Shumlin said.

It's now estimated that all but about nine miles of state roads are open to traffic. That number is down from a high of 500 miles after the storm. Closed stretches include Routes 106 in Weathersfield and 107 in Bethel.