RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – A new report says significant snowstorms could be crippling for Virginia unless the Section of Transportation can fill labor scarcity gaps.
The findings of a VDOT audit by the Place of work of the Point out Inspector Normal – or OSIG – have been introduced this 7 days.
The audit discovered VDOT struggles to use adequate contractors to very clear roadways in the most critical snowstorms. Auditors reviewed various VDOT workplaces, including people in Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Hanging Rock and Southwest.
They consider more needs which include personnel comp insurance and additional engineering needs for contractors insert to the strain.
“The individuals that ended up there had been in 100 % they definitely cared about heir work opportunities and they genuinely treatment about acquiring the roadways cleared,” reported OSIG Audit Supervisor Benjamin Sutphin. “So I don’t believe there’s any question about their willingness to do the suitable work.”
In a assertion to WDBJ7, a VDOT representative wrote:
The Virginia Section of Transportation (VDOT) is fully commited to meeting our mission when managing roadways ahead of, through and after a snowstorm. The Business office of the Condition Inspector General’s (OSIG’s) audit conclusions are a culmination of quite a few yrs of do the job ending with the 2021/2022 snow time. We are working with OSIG to address the problems noted. Yesterday, we kicked off arranging for the forthcoming winter season season in a statewide Preparedness Workshop with VDOT Central Business and district management. A subject matter of conversation for the duration of the workshop included inserting an further concentrate on securing enough sources for the snow period. Signing up contractors for wintertime climate is a continuing approach. As with just about every snow time, VDOT signs up contractors from June to November. VDOT is currently going as a result of the course of action of soliciting and using the services of contracts for the 2022/2023 winter year.
Sutphin reported OSIG personnel designs to satisfy with VDOT future month to occur up with options.
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