Less Snow, Milder Temperatures Eased States’ Winter Budgets

CCB MEDIA PHOTO

BOSTON (AP) — In pure dollars and cents, the past winter in southern New England packed roughly half the punch as the previous winter.

Milder temperatures and considerably less snow than a year ago allowed state transportation agencies to save on costs associated with plowing and salting highways.

Boston received less than 40 inches of snow this year, compared to over 110 inches in the record-setting winter of 2015.

State figures show the Department of Transportation spent $88.7 million clearing roadways of snow and ice in fiscal 2016, compared to $167 million in fiscal 2015.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation spent $10.9 million on winter operations, compared to $19.5 million a year ago.

Preliminary figures show Connecticut spent $31 million in fiscal 2016, after a record $50.2 million in fiscal 2015.