VDOT hit hard by snow costs

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The winter's storms have blown a large hole in the Virginia Department of Transportation's maintenance budget.

Officials say the department has spent about $205 million to clear snow from the state's highways this year. That figure is likely to increase as they get more bills.

The snow removal will eat up about 15 percent of Virginia's highway maintenance money this fiscal year. It comes at a time when a state study shows that 20 percent of the Virginia's interstate highways have deficient pavement.

VDOT had budgeted about $80 million for snow removal this fiscal year.

Officials say the additional money will come out of the department's $1.3 billion maintenance and operating budget and whatever other administrative savings the agency can find.