WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vermont is one of the smallest states in America; however, it is located in of one of the most populated regions in the country. Brian Searles, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, tells AASHTO's Transportation TV that his department is investing more than $60 million to make the improvements necessary to keep up with growing demand for passenger rail service in Vermont.

"Our system is really designed to make the connections between New York, Boston, and Montreal," says Searles. "We own a lot of railroad in our state and we subsidize Amtrak to provide passenger rail service. Ridership since the recession hit in 2008 has been climbing steadily every single year."

Passenger rail service is just one of the three key issues addressed by Searles in a new Transportation TV Two Minute State DOT Update.

Searles also talks about a comprehensive study underway in Vermont to find new sources of funding for transportation. He also discusses an ongoing assessment of the permanent fixes that remain following last year's devastating Tropical Storm Irene.

Transportation TV visited Vermont this year to document the remarkable progress that has been made in the 12 months since the storm. Watch the documentary Vermont: One Year after Tropical Storm Irene and the Two Minute State DOT Update video at www.TransportationTV.org.