The Federal Highway Administration recently issued $1.2 million in “quick release” emergency relief or ER funds for the Vermont Agency of Transportation – known as VTrans – to help defray the restoration costs for Bridge 129 on Vermont Route 14; destroyed by a tanker truck fire in late 2023.
[Above photo by VTrans]
On December 4, 2023, a tanker truck crashed into Bridge 129 on Vermont Route 14 near the town of Irasburg and caught fire, totally destroying the structure. The subsequent evaluation of the bridge by VTrans determined it had to be replaced due to the “extensive damaged” caused by the crash and fire.
VTrans said the FHWA ER funding will be used to build a new bridge as soon as possible, as Vermont Route 14 is an important north-south corridor.
Currently, traffic between the towns of Irasburg and Coventry is being detoured using VT 58 and US 5, which adds about four miles to the commute between the towns.
“Vermont residents and businesses are experiencing disruptions to their daily lives that often result in additional cost and delay,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt in a statement.
“It’s imperative that we get this bridge back up and running again and open Vermont Route 14 as quickly and safely as possible,” he added.
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