Clearing snow and ice off of Arkansas highways this winter cost the state almost four times what it spent the previous year, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Director Scott Bennett told a legislative committee Tuesday.
Bennett told legislators the highway department spent $18 million on clearing icy roadways, up $5 million from the year before.
The joint legislative committee meeting was called after motorists were stranded for hours on icy Interstates 55 and 40 in eastern Arkansas when a winter storm dumped heavy sleet on the state last week. Several bouts of snowfall have left roads covered in ice and snow at various times throughout the winter.
Bennett told the committee the highway department needs more money to buy additional snow plows and hire more people for snow and ice removal.
Some information for this story was obtained through an original story from our partners at Arkansas Business. To see that story, click here.
