Prepping roadways for winter driving

NORTHWEST OHIO - Road crews for cities, counties and Michigan and Ohio are getting ready for the nasty weather on the way. Salt is loaded up and many workers are already on the job.

Salt is loaded up and many workers are already on the job.

Representatives with the Ohio Department of Transportation said Tuesday they have more confidence this winter season compared to the harsh winter of 2008-09 because they have more salt supplies.

Early Monday Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan was hit with a sneaky weather system that caused major disruptions during the morning rush.

Toledo crews were one of the many outfits caught off-guard when the snow started to accumulate rather quickly on the ground.

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MORE: Track winter driving conditions with BuckeyeTraffic.Org

 

 

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 "We got hit at the worst possible time," said Bill Franklin, Director of Public Service for the Glass City. "The storm wasn't predicted strongly enough, just a 30 percent chance of flurries, to go out and pre-salt or anything."

"Unfortunately at 7:30 a.m., an intense squall came through and covered over streets, with icy conditions."

This time, crews are ready. Lucas County plans to have 12 to 13 trucks on county roads. They have about 4,000 tons of salt ready to be coated over the streets, bridges, and highways.

ODOT is also prepared.

"We have met with our crews," said David Dysard ODOT spokesman. "The schedules are set up for winter and just this week we transferred to our winter full coverage."

Dysard added that his crews are preparing for the winter system that is cross the Plains and upper Midwest this week. Eighteen crews will be out salting and plowing surfaces like I-75 if the weather conditions turn nasty.

When it comes to 2009-10 winter season salt supplies, Dysard said ODOT has 35,000 tons of salt for Northwest Ohio.

"A typical year runs 33,000-40,000 tons, so we're right where we need to be," Dysard said. "We almost have a full year's worth on hand.. Last year we had a little bit of trouble with salt supplies and getting material," Franklin added. "But we worked through that, and we have good solid contracts in place this year."