WVDOH SPENDS BIG CHUNK OF BUDGET ON SNOWSTORM

(01/29/2016)
After nearly a week of non-stop snow and ice removal efforts by the West Virginia Department of Highways, crews say they still have work ahead of them.

"This has definitely been as they would say a storm of the century," said Donald Pickley, an equipment operator with the WVDOH.

Not only has the severe winter storm exhausted the efforts of those responsible for clearing the roads, but it has also put a large dent in the states snow removal funding.

WVDOH spokesperson Carrie Bly says more than 21,000 tons of salt were used to treat the roads and a large portion of their $61 million budget has been used so far.

"We've spent 22 million total, so about 37% of the budget we've spent," said Bly.

As of January 27th, the state is about 60% of the way through snow and ice removal season.

Still, WVDOH officials say that they aren't worried about running out of funding due to the unusually mild start to the winter season.

"I think we'll be okay right now, because this was the biggest event that we've had," said Carrie Bly.

West Virginia Department of Highways officials say that until all scraping and grating of both highways and secondary roads is completed, spending statistics will continue to increase.