Snow control costs exceed budget by $6.7 million

June 13, 2014

WYDOT’s snow control costs during the current fiscal year were $29.3 million through the end of June, well above the $22.6 million budgeted.

The $29.3 million figure includes the cost of reopening WYO 70 over Battle Pass, which opened on June 3. 

WYDOT operates on the federal fiscal year of Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, so the current budget also must cover any snow control needed next September.

The cost overrun will be made up through funds from the department’s budgets for equipment, buildings and state-funded construction projects.

The snow control costs were about average through January, when spending stood at 69 percent of the budgeted amount, but spending required during February was double the usual amount, and major storms also hit in March, April and May.