HARRISBURG – Getting frustrated with the weekly chore of mowing the lawn? Be glad you don’t have to mow what PennDOT mows. During the state’s last fiscal year, the Department of Transportation cut grass and weeds on more than 97,500 acres — roughly the size of 75,000 football fields!
PennDOT mows, primarily, to control unsightly vegetation and to provide a “clear zone” to help motorists recover if their vehicles leave the roadway. Mowing also helps maintain necessary sight distances at intersections and around turns.
Mowing also provides the additional benefit of giving motorists an unobstructed view of highway signs and allows them to more easily see and avoid potential dangers.
Mowing operations started in May and will continue through September or October, depending on weather conditions. Roadsides require additional mowing during periods of excessive rainfall, while drought conditions lessen the amount of mowing needed. Roads that receive more traffic, such as interstates and other limited-access routes, will be mowed four times this year. Secondary roads will be mowed twice.
PennDOT will use 220 department-owned tractors for its lawn mowing program. The Department also hires around 50 contractors to help with this mammoth job.
PennDOT spent close to $5 million for mowing during the last fiscal year.