RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The harsh winter busted the highway snow removal budgets in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, challenging those states to pay the bills without siphoning too much money from warm-weather maintenance to the detriment of the motoring public.

Highway officials say they believe they have the resources to avoid any major negative effects for travelers as spring begins. They are especially committed to filling the huge number of potholes left by the relentless freeze-and-thaw cycle, calling them a safety issue that cannot be ignored no matter the cost.