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WV paving projects costing more than money

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The DOT is looking for ways to save money after last winter’s harsh conditions. The winter wreaked havoc on West Virginia’s roads. Ice and snow forced the DOT to pour on the salt and plow roads again and again. When spring arrived, it was a pothole nightmare.

DOT Secretary Paul Mattox said to fix those roads this spring and summer, it’s cost the state millions.

“We’re still working hard to stay within our budget but getting as much as we can as far as resurfacing the roads and patching the roads,” stressed Mattox.

Mattox, speaking with MetroNews, praised his workers for a long, hard job getting the roads back into good condition. Meanwhile, DOT crews are beginning to get ready for this winter. Mattox is hoping for a milder season. He said the agency just doesn’t have the cash to deal with too many more harsh winters.

“Our funding has been stagnate for a number of years. Our paving cycles are just getting to where we’re up to a 20 to 30 year paving cycle,” he said.

That’s why the DOT is trying out some experimental techniques to see if it will help save money. One of those projects is going on in Clay County on Route 4. Mattox explained the process.

“(We’re) grinding up the asphalt and it’s being recycled, mixed with liquid asphalt and being put right back down on the road.”

The process is not only expected to save money but it’s also green because of the recycling aspect.

Mattox said if that can get them more mileage our of their existing budget, you might see more roads across West Virginia repaved using the cost-efficient method.





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