Department of Transportation officials say funds for winter roadway maintenance are adequate despite a late coming winter that’s brought more precipitation than last year.
The DOT winter maintenance budget is $17.5 million. That covers resources like snow removal and de-icing of interstate and highway systems.
Of that $17.5 million, $8.5 million has already been used. But Jason Humphrey, the state construction and maintenance engineer, says the remaining funds should last the rest of the season.
Humphrey says the severe winter has made roadway upkeep more than challenging at times.
“We’re doing the best we can with the resources we have available, this year it seems like there’s been a lot of snow and ice on the roadways, we’ve had some very tough storms that our guys have had to deal with this year with the temperatures being extremely cold and with the precipitation falling a lot of times in the form of ice,” says Humphrey.
Humphrey says the DOT considers winter maintenance its number one priority this time of year. He reminds motorists to not crowd the plow when driving to keep both crews and travelers safe.