An act relating to protections for covered bridges

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Richard Bailey and 23 co-sponsors

VTrans will help municipalities set safe weight, height, and width limits on covered bridges and fund or support protective barriers to prevent over-limit vehicle use.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation

Summary of H.810 (2025-2026) — Vermont

Main purpose and intent

H.810 seeks to enhance protections for covered bridges in Vermont. The bill directs the Agency of Transportation (VTrans) to assist municipalities with establishing safe operating limits for covered bridges (weight, height, and width), strengthen penalties for violations, and help municipalities secure funding or in-kind support to install barriers or warning devices to prevent over-limit vehicles from using covered bridges.

Key provisions and changes

Technical assistance and informational materials (Sec. 1)

VTrans, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Community Development, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and other stakeholders as prioritized by VTrans, must:
- Develop and make available by November 15, 2026 informational materials on establishing weight, height, and width limits for covered bridges.
- Provide technical assistance to municipalities for setting these limits.
- Offer guidance on constructing barriers, warning devices, and other measures to stop vehicles exceeding limits from using covered bridges.
- Provide information on funding or in-kind assistance opportunities to implement such barriers and devices.

Expanded penalties for arson and damage to covered bridges (Sec. 2 and Sec. 3)

The bill raises penalties for arson of a covered bridge:
- Under existing second-degree arson, violators face up to 10 years in prison and/or up to $2,000 fine for arson of a covered bridge (up from the baseline for general arson and specific to bridges).
For damage to bridges generally, the penalties are increased for covered bridges:
- Injuring, removing, or destroying a covered bridge could result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 fine (with specifics outlined in the amended statutes).

Effective date (Sec. 4)

The act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Who/what is affected

Municipalities and local authorities: Responsible for managing and enforcing bridge limits, installing barriers or warning devices, and applying for funding or in-kind assistance as guided by VTrans.

Covered bridges: Subject to defined weight, height, and width limits; enhanced penalties apply to arson, intentional injury, or destruction of covered bridges.

Vehicles/ Operators: Must comply with established limits to avoid penalties; increased enforcement and preventive barriers aim to reduce bridge damage and unsafe crossings.

Law enforcement and courts: Subject to revised penalties for arson and damage specifically involving covered bridges.

Procedural and timeline aspects

By November 15, 2026: VTrans must publish materials and begin providing technical assistance and guidance on barriers and funding opportunities.

July 1, 2026: When the act becomes effective (for the broader provisions and penalties, assuming consistency with effective date language).

Potential impact

Improved safety and preservation of covered bridges by preventing over-limit vehicle use.

Clearer, standardized processes for municipalities to set limits and deploy protective measures.

Stronger deterrence and accountability for arson or deliberate damage to covered bridges through higher penalties.

Increased access to funding or technical support to implement protective infrastructure.