TOPEKA- The winter of 2014 was the most costly since 2008 for the Kansas Department of Transportation.
KDOT spent an estimated $22 million on materials, labor and equipment usage to keep state highways clear and open for travel. That amount compares to $23.7 million in 2008. This year’s winter costs break down to $8.50 per registered vehicle.
“I want to thank our crews for their dedication and hard work to keep Kansas roads open in some very difficult conditions. Winter maintenance takes a substantial amount of effort and money, but the cost to the state would be much greater if the crews didn’t maintain the system as well as they did,” said Transportation Secretary Mike King in a news release.
This season KDOT crews worked 550,000 hours, used 591 dump trucks and treated/plowed some 2.7 million lane miles.
KDOT maintenance experts said the broad scope of this year’s storms, along with frigid temperatures, combined to make this an expensive winter season.
The least amount KDOT has spent on winter maintenance in the past seven years was $6.8 million in 2012.
The 2014 figures are estimates. The numbers typically aren’t finalized until the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
Winter 2014 by the numbers
591
2.7 million Miles treated/plowed
550,000 Labor hours
125,000 Tons of salt
90,000 Tons of sand
5.2 million Gallons of brine
33,500 Gallons of magnesium chloride
Annual winter expenses
2008 $23.7 million $9.10 per registered vehicle
2009 $11.3 million $4.30
2010 $20 million $7.70
2011 $17.9 million $6.90
2012 $6.9 million $2.70
2013 $18.6 million $7.20
2014 $22 million* $8.50*
*Estimated costs