Road Crews Prep for Winter

***UPDATE 3 P.M.***The Columbia Public Works Department performed a dry run of its snows routes on Thursday in order to test all of its equipment on city roads.When it comes to snow removal, officials say safety comes first and therefore plow operators try to limit as many hazards as possible.Before plows hit the road, Public Works officials coordinate with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Boone County officials to decide the safest way to maintain roads.Public Works Director Steve Sapp say Missouri weather fluctuates, so officials have to be ready.”Back two years ago we had the blizzard, last year we didn’t have any, so we always plan for the worst and hope for the best,” said Sapp.A number of factors weigh into how they plan their attack of snow removal.”Rate of snowfall, how long the snowfall is taking place and so forth,” Sapp said. “There’s a lot of variables that go into that.”Thursday’s run through was used to make sure all city equipment is in working order.”And then the next thing we want to do is give the guys a chance to go out on their routes, run the routes and identify any issues that they may have,” said Sapp.One drive, Gary Vaughn, says the inclement weather is worst for plows on narrow roads like Rock Quarry Road, as well as driving through roundabouts and culs-de-sac. “Culs-de-sac provide us with great challenges,” said Sapp. “Where do we put the snow? We can’t block driveways, we don’t want to block mailboxes, and we want to try to keep storm drains open when we do have melt. We want the water to have somewhere to go.”Aside from those concerns, crews have to prioritize the 650 miles of roads in the city. First priority goes to main roads like Broadway and Old Highway 63, then secondary roads and residential areas.City officials want to remind residents that crews only plow residential areas if there are more than four inches of snow and only after they have cleared those first and secondary priority roads.***ORIGINAL STORY***The City of Columbia Public Works Department will be going over its snow removal plans for the winter on Thursday.Drivers in the city will notice snow plows and other heavy equipment out on roadways Thursday as crews perform dry runs.Crews will be practicing routes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.