Oil prices mean less paving for state

The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to repave 20 percent less of the state's roads this year because of rising prices of oil-based asphalt.

That cutback may get even larger. Oil prices continue to climb, but one of the revenue streams intended to help pay for road construction, the state gas tax, remains capped at 29.9 cents per gallon.

"We resurface roads every year in every county," said Jon Nance, director of field operations for the Department of Transportation. "Instead of paving 100 miles, (for example), we're paving 80 miles. We're trying to prioritize the roads as best we can … and looking at what we can do to prolong the life of the roads we can't repave."

The reduced paving will be felt on shock absorbers in every county. Unlike many states where localities share in the cost for repair and construction of state roads, North Carolina handles all that work through DOT, maintaining more miles of road than any state government except Texas.

The state spent $278 million on repaving last year. (Char-O)