(Ames)– The Iowa Department of Transportation may cut some road projects next year to offset the increasing cost of fuel and materials.
State transportation officials say the cuts likely won’t affect work on larger four-lane projects, but that other less visible projects could be on the chopping block.
They say the cuts will probably affect maintenance projects, such as overlays or updating older projects.
The announcement comes as the state moves forward with plan to spend 120 million dollars on Interstate 235 in Des Moines next year–the most ever spent in one year on a highway project.
By comparison the state usually spends about 400 million dollars on road projects statewide each year.
There’s no word yet as to whether or not plans to resurface Highway nine between the Highway 86 junction and the east Spirit Lake city limits will be affected. That project is scheduled for the upcoming construction season. A public meeting to unveil plans for the project, which includes a joint venture with the city for new street lights, curb, gutter and other amenities, was held earlier this month.
(A portion of this story was contributed by the Associated Press.).
