SPRINGFIELD — The state’s transportation chief is assuring cities across the state that the budget impasse won’t affect priorities like keeping roads safe in the winter.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn says even as the budget impasse looks to be heading into the fall, local transportation officials shouldn’t be concerned about money not being available for roads to be plowed or salted.

Blankenhorn says IDOT will find a way to work with local governments to make sure they’re plowing streets and they can do what they need to do. But he added that they have to solve the budget situation.

Blankenhorn says the budget battle hasn’t had much of an impact on the agency yet, as the appropriation for ongoing construction projects was signed by the governor.