By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Department Transportation is preparing for another winter storm.
Northwest District Maintenace and Traffic Engineer Greg Bolon says before the storm crews have been out treating the roads with a salt brine
“All that is is basically liquid salt if you will, the water evaporates and it leaves residual salt crystals on the roadway that way whenever the snow starts falling it will actually react with that salt that’s left there and create more brine,” Bolon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And hopefully it will keep the precip that’s falling from bonding to the pavement and that makes it an easier job for cleaning up.”
Bolon says despite last month’s major storm; the department is still well prepared with materials.
However, Bolon points out the difficult part of having storms like this, with another high chance of snow this weekend, it taxes their resources.
“You’re working 12 hour shifts back-to-back to back and so that’s tough, and it’s also hard on the equipment because the employees are working 12-hour days, but the equipment is working 24/7 non-stop,” Bolon explains. “And so, you tend to have more minor issues with stuff, windshield wipers need replaced, snowplow blades need replaced, and just when you’re running equipment that hard for that long, it takes a toll.”
Bolon says though unlike last month’s this storm seems like it will be more gradual rather than the blinding snow that made for difficult driving conditions.
Bolon says after fighting that, some of MoDOT’s newer snowplow drivers are geared up for this storm.
“I think we kind of got some of our drivers baptized under fire if you will with that last storm, but I think they are trained up and ready to go,” Bolon says. “And I would rather see us in the snowplowing than having to fight with sleet, freezing rain, and ice, because those are harder conditions to deal with.”
Bolon advises drivers to stay inside during the winter storm if they don’t have to get out.
“But if you are out and you see a MoDOT truck, understand that we’re not plowing at 50, 60, 70 miles per hour, that truck is going slow, so you’re going to come upon it quicker,” Bolon points out. “They’re going to be salting behind it or they may be pushing snow, so your visibility probably going to be less around a MoDOT truck that is plowing snow, because wind you may see this snow cloud around it, just give us room.”
The National Weather Service is projecting five to eight inches of snow to fall tomorrow. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 9pm tomorrow night.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
