Ravine Road Repair (or not)

A number of townspeople have expressed concern about the repair of Ravine Road. Beyond the fact that it is the last Irene related project to be started concern has been raised that the town is considering not restoring it to its original state due to the state's requirement that a bridge be built there instead of the existing culvert.
Under consideration are building a single lane road or a walking trail.
The town has tried to make its case by saying the project cost is $73,656.65 over what was approved in the budget. What should be noted is the presentation was on the combined cost of the Stage Road bridge (which has been completed and actually serves less homes than Ravine Road) and Ravine Road. The Stage Road Project is $16,850 over budget and is complete. The projected overbudget cost for Ravine Road is $51,650. The balance of the over budget amount for both projects of $5,165.65 is in excess engineering costs for both projects.
Chairman Chris Bianchi suggested that to fund the projected $51,650 increase in the cost of repairing Ravine Road a special election be held to approve that amount. This a dubious contention. All other Irene related repairs have been completed.
The town budgeted $445,000 to repair Ravine Road not including engineering. State and federal reimbursement is $10,053.25 and $180,958.50 respectively. So the town has already budgeted approximately $255,000 to repair Ravine Road. While $51,650.65 is nothing to sneeze at, in the larger scheme of things it seems petty to thwart the repair of Ravine Road for that amount while hundreds of thousands are already budgeted and millions spent on repairing the rest of the town.
Maybe the answer to this perplexing dilemma lies in the alternatives set out below from the presentation by Chuck Hogenbarth at the last Select Board meeting.

Alternative Option 3 Budget Detail  Project Estimate (High) Notes Ravine Trail            120,000.00 Remove Culvert, regrade, fill, concrete abutments, wooden bridge) Killington Rd. Projects           283,893.35 Fill annual estimated capital shortfalls on paving for culverts,  sidewalk construction, and/or Dean Hill Traffic Light Total            403,893.35 Alternative projects receive 90% of eligible funding, so this budget detail has been reduced by 10% of $191k of reimbursement for Ravine
This proposes taking the money slated for Ravine Road and shifting it to other projects on Killington Road while turning Ravine Road into a walking trail. I'm sorry but I believe Ravine Road to be a vital road in the town. To even propose to shut it down when all other roads have been repaired is ludicrous. We spend $40,000 a year for hay bales and we can't find $50,000 to fix Ravine. 1% tax receipts are going to be up at least that amount if not more given the banner ski season we had. It is the town's first and foremost responsibility to take care of its roads. So take care of it!