§ 10e. Statement of policy; railroads
(a) The General Assembly recognizes that rail service, both passenger and freight, is an integral part of the State’s transportation network and that it must be fully integrated into the State’s transportation network as a whole. Accordingly, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Vermont:
(1) To provide opportunities for rail passenger services by cooperating with the federal government, other states, and providers of those services, with priority to be given to the services likely to complement the State’s other transportation resources and Vermont’s economic development efforts and to meet the needs of the traveling public. Goals to increase passenger rail use will be in accordance with the Agency’s rail plan.
(2) To preserve and modernize for continued freight railroad service those railroad lines, both within the State of Vermont and extending into adjoining states, that directly affect the economy of the State or provide connections to other railroad lines that directly affect the economy of the State. Goals to increase freight rail use will be in accordance with the Agency’s rail plan.
(3) In those cases where continuation of freight railroad service is not economically feasible under present conditions, to preserve established railroad rights-of-way for future reactivation of railroad service, trail corridors, and other public purposes not inconsistent with future reactivation of railroad service.
(4) To seek federal aid for rail projects that implement this section’s policy goals.
(5) To maintain and improve intercity bus and rail and freight and commuter rail services, and the necessary intermodal connections, and to increase the efficiency of equipment and the extent to which equipment selection and operation can limit or avoid the emission of greenhouse gases.
(6) To plan for increased ridership with city-to-city and commuter rail service, and for increased coordination of rail service with bus service, car-pooling, and ride-sharing opportunities.
(b) To complement the regular maintenance efforts of the lessee/operators of State-owned railroads, taking into account each line’s long-term importance to the State’s transportation network, economic development, the resources available to the lessee/operator and relevant provisions of leases and other agreements, the Agency may develop programs to assist in major rehabilitation or replacement of obsolete bridges, structures, rails, and other fixtures.
(c) [Repealed.] (Added 1989, No. 121, § 4, eff. June 22, 1989; amended 2003, No. 56, § 12, eff. June 4, 2003; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 22; 2007, No. 209 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 24.)
Structure Vermont Statutes
Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions
§ 3. Transportation Board; creation; members
§ 4. Transportation Board; meetings; quorum; compensation
§ 5. Transportation Board; powers and duties
§ 6. Other boards, commissions, councils, and committees
§ 7. Secretary; powers and duties
§ 7a. Hearing before Secretary
§ 8. Commissioner of Motor Vehicles; appointment; duties and powers
§ 9. Divisions; general provisions
§ 10a. Procurement of engineering and design services through competitive negotiation
§ 10b. Statement of policy; general
§ 10c. Statement of policy; highways and bridges
§ 10d. Statement of policy; airports
§ 10e. Statement of policy; railroads
§ 10f. Statement of policy; public transportation
§ 10g. Annual report; Transportation Program; advancements, cancellations, and delays
§ 10h. Cooperative interstate agreement
§ 10i. Transportation planning process
§ 10j. Intermodal and multimodal transportation facilities; project planning criteria
§ 10k. Statement of policy; asset management; sale of State property
§ 10l. Agency cooperation with regional planning commissions
§ 10m. Statement of policy; sustainable building components; annual report
§ 11a. Transportation funds appropriated for the Department of Public Safety
§ 11b. Town Highway Revolving Fund
§ 11c. Deposit in escrow account of amounts retained from progress payments
§ 11d. Funds for rehabilitation of historic bridges
§ 11f. Transportation Infrastructure Bond Fund
§ 12. Appropriations to Agency of Transportation
§ 12a. Transportation Program provided to the Committees on Transportation
§ 12b. Joint Transportation Oversight Committee
§ 15. Changes in the State highway system
§ 15a. Border crossings; cooperation with federal government
§ 16. Duties of Secretary in unorganized towns and gores
§ 17. Contracts; labor preference
§ 19. Small business enterprises
§ 20. Small claims for injury or damage
§ 21. Picnic areas and parking places
§ 23. Rights of action; notice
§ 26. Purchase and sale of property
§ 30. Issue of notes for State highway construction
§ 31. Abandonment of project; reconveyance
§ 32. Assumed width of right-of-way
§ 33. Survey of existing highways; damages
§ 35. Entrance upon lands for survey
§ 37. Impoundments of water created by beaver
§ 38. Transportation Alternatives Grant Program
§ 39. Agency of Transportation assistance with municipal salt sheds