How can weather impact construction schedules on highway projects?

Adverse weather can significantly delay work on highway projects primarily because it creates unsafe conditions for workers and can complicate the handling of construction materials. For example, rain can make roads slippery and hazardous, leading to a heightened risk of accidents. Similarly, extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can affect the setting times of concrete and the performance of other materials, leading to quality control issues as well.

Additionally, severe weather events, such as storms or heavy snow, can halt operations completely, forcing a reevaluation of the schedule and often pushing back project timelines. The need for safety protocols during difficult weather conditions means that crews may need to be pulled off the job or work may be restricted to certain hours or conditions deemed safe. Therefore, adverse weather conditions directly correlate with increased downtime and disruptions in the workflow, impacting the overall construction schedule.