Apr 16, 2003 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

Eight miles of road resurfacing scheduled in Greene County this year have been postponed until next year by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation primarily due to higher than expected winter snow removal costs. Winter weather had no impact on scheduled maintenance projects in Fayette or Washington counties, while 13 miles of resurfacing in Westmoreland County have been delayed until next year.

PennDOT engineer Gary Hoffman said the harsh winter has caused delays in maintenance projects is various locations across the state, but all capital highway construction projects remain on schedule even though this year’s budget for those major projects is $300 million less than last year.

The non-profit Pennsylvania Highway Information Association (PHIA) claimed a reduction in federal highway funds is forcing PennDOT to curtail its spending from $1.55 billion in 2002 to $1.25 billion this year.

However, Hoffman said the figures are misleading.

“I wouldn’t describe it as cuts,” Hoffman said.

He said PennDOT spent $1.55 billion on capital projects in 2002 and 2001. The figure was $1.35 billion in previous years. This year $1.25 billion is budgeted for capital projects.

Hoffman said 2002 and 2001 were “spike years” and the higher-than-usual spending came from money left over from previous federal transportation legislation funding and left over money from snow removal during mild winters.

With no more left over federal money and the expense of a harsh winter, available funding for highway construction leveled off, he said.

“The last two years, we had spike years,” Hoffman said. “All major (2003) construction projects will be met by the $1.25 billion.”

Valerie Petersen, spokesperson for PennDOT’s Engineering District 12 in Uniontown, said the resurfacing projects delayed this year will receive priority next year. “They’ll be at the top of the list for next year.”

PHIA, meanwhile, claims that the drop in spending will likely result in a loss of more then 5,700 jobs in the state.

“The important thing to remember is that these are aren’t just construction jobs that would be lost,” said Ron Geist, PHIA managing director. “These are jobs from across the economy – manufacturing, retail, services – that rely on an efficient and effective transportation system to be successful.”

PHIA also said $184 million in wages and benefits and $519 million in goods and services produced would also be lost due to decreased highway spending.