Through a partnership between the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the Vermont Better Roads Program is accepting applications for grants to be used in preventing road erosion and increasing water quality.
Town, city or county governments are eligible to apply for the Better Roads grants, and must indicate which of the four grant categories the funding would be used towards.
Category A: Used for planning and provide funding to conduct a road erosion inventory, prioritize identified projects and develop a budget plan to implement the projects over a period of time.
Maximum grant: $8,000
Category B: Used for construction projects that correct a road erosion problem and/or stormwater mitigation retrofit to the road drainage system that will result in improved water quality. Examples of eligible projects in this category are the installation of grass or stone lined ditches, rain gardens that treat road runoff, or drop inlet rehab/ replacement.
Maximum grant: $20,000
Category C: Used for construction projects that correct a streambank, lake shore or other slope related erosion problem on town roads.
Maximum grant: $40,000
Category D: Used for structure/ culvert upgrade projects. These grants can be used to replace multiple small culverts or a larger structure.
Maximum grant: $40,000
Road Erosion Grants Principles
The program aims to provide towns with the funds needed to maintain local roads and safeguard water sources based on their five principles of better roads:
- Get water off the road quickly and avoid having water run lengthwise down the road.
- Stabilize and revegetate disturbed areas in and/or near ditches, culverts, banks, inlets and outlets immediately.
- Divert as much runoff as possible away from surface waters into vegetated areas.
- Good maintenance saves money by decreasing road problems and preventing untimely repairs.
- Good maintenance and infrastructure reduces susceptibility to flash flood damage.
Applications are due by December 31, 2017.
All grants require a local match of 20 percent.
Learn more about the program and apply on the Vermont Agency of Transportation website.