FY2012 Trail Construction, Maintenance & Storm Damage Projects

Construction/Maintenance Program Update

All of the trail construction and maintenance projects including the emergency projects from the May Storms have been reviewed and the majority of the projects have been approved.  Since the budget was approved this past weekend during the VAST Annual Meeting, the emergency budget of $260,000 is allocated for the 60+ projects from the May Storms and an additional $500,000 is approved for the damage caused by Irene. 

Damage assessment reports have been rolling into the office along with inquiries in how we are going to address the trail damage for the upcoming season. We are gathering information as reports are made, and our objective is to open major corridor trails that link communities and other clubs together. If we focus on these connections, we can begin piecing the trail system together again. Other considerations such as feasibility of reconstructing the trail and/or bridge and whether we need to look at an alternate route in forthcoming years will be helpful in making the decisions pertinent to the vitality of the trail system. Obviously we will not be able to open everything, hence the reason why we are striving to connect the major N,S,E,W corridors. Clubs are already working on establishing connections especially in the hardest hit areas, locating used or donated materials and equipment to get the job done. There are still many unknowns as to exactly what will be open for this season and as we get closer to the season details on trail changes will be shared in the VAST News and on the VAST website. 

Program by the numbers

The combination of emergency trail damage from the May storms and the construction projects has put this year’s total over the million dollar mark and this does not cover the full extent of the damage on the trail system. We have not covered all of the areas with the storm damage and it will certainly be an ongoing process in prioritizing what will need to get done in order to open the trails for the 2012 season. The damage alone exceeds what is set aside in the trail construction, maintenance and emergency line item in the proposed 2012 VAST budget.

Here’s a brief summary of what was submitted this year and there are 179 total applications:

• 58 are for bridge redecking & replacement projects
• 14 are for trail relocation projects
• 29 debrushing projects
• 41 trail signing reimbursement (2011 VAST Budget – 5 were late applications)
• 16 trail tread improvement projects
• 7 remove trails from public highways
• 76 erosion control/repair/ditching
• 6 gate projects
• 1 project on secondary trail
• 16 applications were received after the deadline of June 30th
 

Any questions?  Please contact Alexis or Matt at the VAST Office.