Mon Mar 10 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Virginia to Use AI to Tackle Soaring Highway Construction Costs
**RICHMOND, VA** – Facing a 68% nationwide surge in highway construction costs since 2020, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve cost estimation and pavement maintenance. The initiative comes as VDOT grapples with rising material and labor costs, supply chain issues, and unpredictable weather, all impacting budgeting and forecasting.
VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner Cathy McGhee stated that AI will help maximize investments in maintenance and repairs. Initial AI pilots will focus on cost estimation and pavement management, areas significantly impacted by rising costs. Virginia’s extensive road network, encompassing nearly 60,000 miles of state-controlled roads plus thousands more in cities and towns, necessitates efficient resource allocation. Pavement resurfacing costs alone have increased by 45% since 2019.
The AI initiative aligns with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s broader push for AI integration across state government. Last year, Youngkin signed an executive order establishing AI guidelines, and is currently reviewing legislation aimed at regulating AI’s use, including measures addressing high-risk AI systems and the use of AI in political advertising and deepfakes.
Del. Michelle Maldonado, who introduced legislation requiring responsible AI development and deployment, expressed support for VDOT’s AI pilots, highlighting their potential to improve data analysis and traffic flow without replacing human expertise. The success of these pilots will be closely watched as Virginia navigates the integration of AI into its infrastructure management.
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