Vermont’s congressional delegation is seeking a way to help the state get some transportation projects moving and save money.
The delegation wants the federal government to waive the state and local match requirement for federally-funded transportation projects, in hopes of boosting the economy and shoring up the state’s roads and bridges.
The move would also help Vermont and other states support public transit and upgrade rail lines at no additional cost to the federal government.
Officials are concerned that financial woes will make it impossible to proceed with some projects because they don’t have the money for the match.
U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch are drafting legislation to waive the matches through September of next year.