MoDot Estimates Costs and Salt Supply Levels Following a Historic Winter Storm
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MoDot Estimates Costs and Salt Supply Levels Following a Historic Winter Storm

Date: February 3, 2011
By: Andrew Weil
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
As Missourians shovel out from under this week's massive snowfall, the State Transportation Department will pay a big price.
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The state Transportation Department estimates $5.5 million cost for clearing roads after the historic winter storm.

MoDOT spokesperson Jorma Duran says the estimate accounts for more than 40,000 hours of overtime labor and 20,000 tons of salt.

Actuality:  DURAN.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "There's never going to be a time where MoDot says we got to stop our winter operations because of money. It is what it is and we want to make sure that the motorists are safe out there, so if it costs however much it costs it's what it is."

Duran also says it will take until the weekend before MoDOT feels confident with all roads that they clear.

From Jefferson City, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro: 
The State Transportation Department asks drivers to practice defensive driving while crews continue to clear roads.
RunTime:  0:26
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: As workers continue snow removal on 33,000 miles of Missouri roads, MoDOT spokesperson Jorma Duran has some advice for anyone who needs to travel.

Actuality:  DURAN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "If you have to be out on the road take your time, plan ahead, leave early, slow down and you should get to your location safely."

Duran also says MoDot workers have spent more than 40,000 overtime hours working to clear the roads.  

From Jefferson City, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro: 
The State Transportation Department say salt supplies will still last for the remainder of winter.
RunTime:  0:27
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The historic winter storm that battered Missouri used only 10 percent of the state Transportation Department's annual salt supply.

MoDOT spokesperson Jorma Duran says 20,000 tons of salt were used over just a few days.

Actuality:  DURAN3.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "If we do have more winter storms heading this direction we will have enough salt and enough manpower and enough snowplows to make sure that the roads get cleared up."

Duran says the current cost estimate for salt used during the storm is $1.2 million.

From Jefferson City, I'm Andrew Weil.