High Oil, Construction Prices May Delay Ohio Road Projects

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ising oil prices and higher construction costs may delay several major road projects planned for Ohio in the next few years, the Associated Press reported.

Prices for heavy highway construction products such as asphalt, concrete and steel rose about 12% last year and 7.5% in 2004, according to Ohio Department of Transportation officials.

Though the higher costs will have little effect on current ODOT projects, the state says it might have to delay some major work scheduled over the next four years, AP reported.

ODOT is reconsidering its entire program, from routine maintenance to complex new interstate construction jobs, one state official told AP.