Cost of building materials on the rise

Now that the Gulf Coast is in a stage of rebuilding, cities across the United States are facing construction difficulties and material shortages. The Lawrence Department of Utilities has seen an increase in the cost of materials and a shortage of equipment and supplies, particularly in the last few months.

Crews around Lawrence have had to work around the increased material costs associated with road construction.

Philip Ciesielski, Utilities Engineer, said the crews must work around the increased costs because many of the materials are going to the Gulf Coast. This has forced the utilities department to look at other options.

"We have been looking at alternates. In terms of alternate materials, things are higher priced than anticipated. As well, possibly some alternate scheduling of projects," Ciesielski said.

In order to free up money for larger projects that have higher priority, the utilities department has been forced to temporarily delay smaller maintenance projects. If the cost of materials continues to stay high, Ciesielski said his department might have to start looking at other ways of paying for its projects.

"Maybe financing some projects through bonds that would have been paid for with cash, and then paying those off over a period of time, as opposed to paying them with cash up front," Ciesielski said.

Ciesielski said many communities have also seen a shortage in employees since Katrina hit. Many potential employees have gone to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild, but Ciesielski said that hasn't been a problem yet in Lawrence.