After massive damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene, Vermont acted swiftly to get roads and infrastructure repaired to allow, among other things, tourism dollars to continue to roll in at a critical time of year, according to a December 5, 2011 New York Times article. According to the article, “Within days after the storm hit on Aug. 28, the state had moved to emergency footing, drawing together agencies to coordinate the construction plans and permits instead of letting communications falter.”
Within three months of the storm, “the state repaired and reopened some 500 miles of damaged road, replaced a dozen bridges with temporary structures and repaired about 200 altogether,” according to the article.
The article said that “state roads, which are the routes used most by tourists, are ready for the economically crucial winter skiing season. But Vermont had many of those roads open in time for many of the fall foliage visitors, who pump $332 million into the state’s economy each year, largely through small businesses like bed and breakfasts, gift shops and syrup stands.”
