TRAVERSE CITY -- Rising gas prices could impact your drive in more ways than one is this summer.
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission will be meeting April 28 to amend its budget and reformulate for the summer months due to high costs for diesel fuel.
In December 2010 the Road Commission budgeted 175,000 gallons of gas at a cost of $2.55 per gallon. Officials budgeted for a bit higher cost to make up for inflation and a possible hike in gas prices, however it was not enough. At the end of March the cost of diesel fuel was $3.15 per gallon.
As a result of the higher price at the pump, officials will discuss scaling back summer projects. At the April 28 meeting routine road maintenance for the summer could be cut across the board. While the cutbacks haven't been decided just yet, the services below could be impacted:
pothole patching
seal coatings (for road cracks)
tree removal in right of way
grating gravel roads and shoulders of roads
mowing grass in the middle of roads and side of roads
guardrail work
sweeping of curbs and cleaning out storm sewers
Which of these items do you think should be cut to make up for the budget shortage? Tell us "Your Point of View" by voting in the poll below and leaving your comments.
