While summer is in full swing, the winter months will be here before you know it, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced they do not have a sufficient amount of contractor resources for snow removal. A new audit report noted shortages in five of the six VDOT area headquarters by the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG).
This reduction in the number of contractors available is a result of additional requirements, such as workers compensation insurance and automatic vehicle locator monitoring devices, that many contractors don’t meet. The OSIG report finds that shortages for a major statewide storm could be both catastrophic and costly.
“Without sufficient resources at mobilization levels 4 and 5, major snowstorms have the potential to be crippling unless assistance from other parts of the state can fill the gaps,” the audit states.
VDOT is responsible for the maintenance of all interstate, primary, and secondary roads in the state, with the exception of Henrico and Arlington County. The department is expected to “plan for and attempt to promptly and efficiently treat and remove snow and ice from all highway systems or make them passable as soon as possible,” according to the report. Without a sufficient number of contractors, the department cannot properly carry out these responsibilities.
The audit advises VDOT to find a balance between having sufficient resources and working with acceptable levels of risk. It also recommends using state employees from other agencies who have commercial driver’s licenses or training VDOT staff who do not use equipment in their normal job to operate equipment during snow storms. The OSIG is also willing to facilitate a post-audit brainstorming session with VDOT in hopes of creating a corrective action plan.
Feature image, Lane Erickson/stock.adobe.com
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