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Samantha Hayes reporting Weather is usually the biggest problem for construction crews in Utah. As such, they have to get everything they can get done in the summer months.
But this year, there's another hold up.
Asphalt is used for paving and repairing roads and commercial and private building projects all over. It is definitely in high demand.
You probably only think about asphalt on hot summer days when you have to wait for road crews to finish paving. But its something UDOT is thinking about a lot.
Nile Easton, UDOT: "We are probably looking at an extra 20-40 thousand for this project in asphalt coasts alone."
UDOT pays more because suppliers like Staker Parson have to wait longer for a critical ingredient- liquid asphalt- which contains gasoline.
Chris Sena, Staker/Parson construction services: "Because of the environment that exists today before on bids we would be good for 30 days. But until we can get past this shortage we'll only have bids due 10-15 days at a time."
Sinclair Oil says it cannot provide liquid asphalt as quickly because of a federal government regulation on all refineries requiring production of low sulfur diesel - for environmental reasons.
Low sulfur diesel only produces about 18 percent asphalt - compared to high sulfur which produces about twice that.
Nile Easton, UDOT: "Fortunately we have enough money to cover 20 percent increase this year. Long term its something we'll keep looking at."
Oil makes up 5% of what goes into asphalt. Crews say there's enough to do some of the projects scheduled now, but if the price remains high, further projects could be impacted.
Nile Easton, UDOT: "What we are getting worried about are smaller things like pot hole repair projects..more difficult to get small batches of asphalt to take care of those needs."
Also, a great deal of speculation that oil companies are making more money refining gasoline than gasoline products; like asphalt.
The projection right now is this is a short term problem - maybe 2 months. But high demand is another component affecting the availability of asphalt..
