With long-range weather forecasts starting to talk about winter weather, Erie County's commissioner of public works says the county's roads are in pretty good shape with most of last winter's damage repaired.
Commissioner John Loffredo says he has long wanted more money to fix up the county's vast road network, but admits it took last winter to persuade the people with the cash to jack up the repair spending. He has $31 million to spend this year and it's all allocated and most of it spent.
The commissioner says construction workers used every method for road repair, from massive re-paving to putting down oil and stone on less-used roads.
Loffredo says it was easier because legislators approved money and additional money and approved a repair list early.
"The approval, once that was determined, the approval was pre-approved and we went right ahead, gave them a contract and then we really kind of flew through everything, all the red tape and we were able to take advantage of this short construction season," Loffredo said.
"We did get everything done, really. Or, let's say we're in the process. It looks good. We're right at the tail end."
Loffredo says Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw put up cash for the projects without waiting until this fall's bond sales. The commissioner says there are still workers out there looking for potholes to fill and because the weather is still pretty good they are using hot blacktop which should make repairs permanent.
