Now that spring is finally here, Ohio’s road crews will be fixing potholes and pavement damaged over the winter.
Matt Bruning of the Ohio Department of Transportation says the state has to patch potholes during the winter with a mix that only provides a temporary fix. Because weather is warming up, he says road crews will be repairing those areas with asphalt.
It can be a dangerous job for state workers, though.
“Last year we had 14 fatalities in work zones, 103 serious injuries, more than 500 minor injuries," Bruning says.
ODOT and local communities are still working with funding from the last transportation budget. The new one, with a 10.5 cent gas tax increase, doesn't take effect until July 1.
The tax is expected to raise over $800 million for road construction projects, divided between state and local governments.
