DEBRIS REMOVAL EFFORTS CONTINUE IN WAKE OF ICE STORM
LITTLE ROCK (3-5)
Telltale
signs of destruction are still evident from the January ice storm that crippled
parts of northern
Crews from the
Downed trees, power poles, and power lines closed dozens of highways in
the last week of January. Most of the damage occurred north of a line from just
south of
Unlike the ice storm of 2000, the AHTD has opted not to contract out any
of the debris removal work in 2009. “The year 2000 ice storm was more of a
statewide event,” Flowers noted. “We were not able to move manpower and
equipment from one part of the state to another in 2000 because the area
affected was so large. After receiving federal approval, contracts were awarded
to private, out-of-state companies to assist in the work. We believe we can do
the work ourselves this time and avoid the more costly contract labor.”
The AHTD has reported approximately $9.7 million in statewide damages
associated with the fallen trees and power poles from the January event. The
AHTD is pursuing emergency relief funding from the FHWA to recoup the cost of
these cleanup efforts. Final approval from the FHWA is expected soon.
In addition to the $9.7 million in debris removal, the AHTD spent about
$2 million on ice and snow removal during the storm. That brings the total cost
of the storm for the AHTD to nearly $12 million.
“Even though we are calling these ‘statewide damages,’ the fact is
we only incurred significant debris removal costs in five of our ten highway
districts,” Flowers said. “To put these costs in perspective, we usually
spend about $4 million per year on ice and snow removal efforts in