Regional Notes | April 2022

Good afternoon,

For over two years, the CCRPC has been working with VTrans to develop a comprehensive transportation improvement plan for Interstate 89 through Chittenden County. The Chittenden County I-89 2050 Study addresses future transportation needs of all users by improving safety, connectivity, and mobility; promoting livable communities; meeting our climate goals; and investing in the regional economy. The study team has worked closely with a broad and diverse group of stakeholders to assess existing conditions, develop a vision and goals based on community needs, evaluate existing and potential future exits, assess a range of transportation demand management/walk/bike/transit and other strategies that could reduce single occupancy vehicle travel and the need for major capital improvements, and solicit input and feedback from the public at each step. Learn more about the project phases and public process here.

Please join us on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00pm for the project's final virtual public meeting via Zoom to learn about the draft multimodal recommendations and share your feedback. More information is available on the project website. We hope to see you there!

In other transportation-related news, the statewide Vermont Walk/Bike Summit will be taking place on Friday, May 6 in Middlebury. This day-long event will showcase projects, innovations and advocacy that support increased pedestrian, bike, and public transportation infrastructure, resulting in livable, healthy and vibrant communities. The summit will be held in the heart of Middlebury village, and workshops and demonstrations will be held at outdoor venues. It is open to all community members, pedestrian and bike enthusiasts, designers, planners and researchers throughout the state. Learn more and register at VTWalkBikeSummit.com.

Best regards,

Charlie Baker

Executive Director, CCRPC

TRANSPORTATION

Burlington School District Travel and Traffic Control Draft Plan Available

The City of Burlington and Burlington School District, with assistance from CCRPC and DuBois & King, is developing a School Travel and Traffic Control Plan for nine elementary, middle, and high school campuses within the City. The draft plan is now available for review, and will be presented at the May 18 Burlington Public Works Commission meeting. Learn More »

Regional Active Transportation Plan

The CCRPC is updating the Regional Active Transportation Plan, and an interactive map is available to share your ideas for desired walk/bike connections and identify barriers. Learn More »

Know Your Limit: Vermont Impaired Driving Summit: May 11

Participants will hear from experts from law enforcement, judiciary, toxicology, and restorative justice. Network with 200+ professionals and stakeholders from education, engineering, enforcement, emergency services, and driver education. The summit is free and will be held at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. Learn More & Register »

"Park Your Carbon" Week: May 16-20

Want to try a different way of getting around? How about a healthy option, one that can save you some money and even be fun? You can reduce carbon pollution in Vermont and impact worldwide carbon change. Park Your Carbon is a week-long initiative to help change Vermonters' transportation and commuting habits by encouraging green ways of travel. Do it for a day, a week, or make it a habit. Bike. Walk. Share Your Ride. Bus. Work from Home. Learn More »

Webinar: Planning for EV Infrastructure in Vermont: May 18

Join Vermont Clean Cities, Drive Electric Vermont, and VTrans on Wednesday, May 18 at 1pm for a free webinar about electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Vermont. Hear about funding opportunities, federal and state EV charging goals, and more. Learn More & Register »

CATMA Completes 2021 Analysis; Celebrates 30 Years of Helping Commuters Get There

The Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association's 2021 Impact Analysis shows that CATMA members collectively saved $681,311 in fuel costs, avoided 5,575,411 pounds of CO2, and averted 7,646,150 in vehicle miles traveled in 2021 by choosing to walk, bike, carpool, vanpool, or ride the bus. CATMA is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a non-profit organization who plans, administers, and manages sustainable transportation programs that offer a better way to travel, save money, and lesson the reliance on single occupant vehicles. Learn More »

Burlington City Council Approves Champlain Parkway Phase 1 Contract 

At its meeting on April 25, the Burlington City Council unanimously approved a $45 million contract to build the first phase of the Champlain Parkway. Learn More »

Older Driver Webinar Series from Vermont Department of Health

The Vermont Department of Health partnered with many organizations to launch a new webinar series focused on older driver safety in Vermont, to be held on the last Wednesday of every month from April-June, from 12-1pm. The events are free. Learn More »

Save the Date: CATMA Inaugural Transportation Summit: October 18

This one-day event will include various sessions and keynote speakers focused on transportation in and around Chittenden County. This will be an opportunity for businesses, policy makers, transportation providers and community members to re-connect, re-engage and work "across the aisle" to re-imagine transportation demand management strategies in today's environment. Learn more about the event and sponsor prospectus here.

Transportation Projects & Updates

For a full list of transportation projects, visit the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee webpage; a full project list is included in every TAC agenda and is updated regularly.

ECONOMY

VAAFM, NOFA-VT Encourage Vermonters to Buy Direct from Local Farms

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and NOFA-VT are encouraging Vermonters to buy direct from their local farms as much as possible this season amidst rising fuel and supply costs. Learn More »

Business Leaders Call for Public Investment in Statewide Child Care System

Business leaders from across Vermont, representing nearly every industry, joined Vermont's Child Care Campaign on April 27 and declared their collective support for a publicly funded child care system that meets the needs of all Vermont's children, families, businesses, and economy. Learn More »

'Free Degree Promise' Will Pay for Vermont Students to Attend Community College

The McClure Foundation will pay for an associate degree at Community College of Vermont for all in-state students currently in grades 8 through 11. Learn More »

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES

Climate Change and Land Use Guide Available

This guide is intended to provide municipalities with guidance on how to amend land use regulations to limit low density sprawl, enable compact walkable neighborhoods, and protect the working and natural landscape to ensure climate change resilience. Learn More »

Vermont Organics Recycling Summit: May 2-6

This spring, great minds will gather for a week of free events as part of the 16th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS). VORS coincides with International Compost Awareness Week, the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. This year's theme, "Recipe for Regeneration: COMPOST!," celebrates the value of compost and organics recycling, and the many ways it supports regenerative agriculture, the health of the environment, communities, and the economy. Learn More »

Second Annual #Farm24VT Celebration: May 18

The 24-hour social media celebration of agriculture, food and dairy in Vermont will begin on May 18 at 5:00am. Vermont farmers, agribusinesses, and food producers will take to social media to share photos, videos, and stories, giving people a real-time look at where their food comes from. Learn More »

Resilient Communities Fund Grants Available

The second round of Resilient Communities Fund grants will fund buyouts of flood-vulnerable homes, floodplain restoration, and other natural resource projects that will help protect life and property from future floods in Vermont. More than $2.1M in grants will go to towns and non-profit organizations in round two of the program. Learn More »

QUALITY OF PLACE

Save the Date: Vermont Community Leadership Summit, August 10

Save the date for the third Vermont Community Leadership Summit, where leaders will come back together to renew, connect, and continue to lead positive progress in Vermont.

SOCIAL COMMUNITY

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: April 30

This Saturday, Vermonters can dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications easily and safely at 55 locations throughout the state. April 30 marks the 22nd nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, an opportunity for people to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of prescription drugs properly. Learn More »

EnVision Vermont Statewide Survey

The Older Vermonters Act of 2020 requires that the State of Vermont create an "Action Plan for Aging Well," a 10-year blueprint to build an age-friendly state across all sectors. As part of the effort to gather baseline information about the age-friendly status of Vermont's communities today, the EnVision Vermont survey for residents 45+ is available through May 20. Learn More & Take the Survey »

Howard Center Webinar: How Can We Make Vermont More Welcoming and Inclusive? - May 18

Vermont is one of the least diverse states in the nation. With that as our starting point, how can Vermont attract more people with diverse backgrounds and help them find community so they decide to stay? Join a panel of professionals working to promote diversity and equity in area businesses and institutions to hear about lessons they've learned in the workplace, and how those lessons can be applied to make the Green Mountain State more welcoming and inclusive. Learn More »

33rd Annual COTS Walk: May 1

The 33rd annual COTS Walk on Sunday, May 1, is a 3.5-mile trek (a shorter 1-mile route is available) around downtown Burlington that starts from Battery Park and follows the path a person experiencing homelessness might travel to connect with COTS shelter and services. Learn More »