Columbia Public Works bringing back full crew after scaling back operations

Columbia Public Works scaled back its operations Saturday afternoon after the freezing rain failed to last as long or amount to as much as expected in the area. Department officals sent all but eight crew members home around 12:30 p.m.

But looking ahead in the forecast, the CPW planned to bring back in a full crew of drivers around 7 p.m. Freezing rain is expected to pick back up in Columbia by midnight.

ABC 17 News tested the road temperatures and around 6 p.m., the readings were between 26 and 32 degrees. Roadways can start freezing at 32 degrees.

Jefferson City Public Works has also been treating its roads since the ice started.

Britt Smith, with JCPW, said the on-and-off freezing drizzle can get frustrating for drivers who need to frequently go over the same streets.

Smith said his crews are using a sand-salt mix to treat the roads. He said it seems to be working well and Public Works uses a coarser and that can provide some traction if a refreeze happens.

“The sand provides a little grit, provides a little traction until we can get back to that street,” Smith said. “It doesn’t work forever. I mean if you think about the thickness of a gain of sand but we actually use a fairly coarse sand for that reason.”

Smith also said the public has helped the crews’ efforts by staying off the roads during this ice event.

“I can’t tell you how much easier it makes our job than having to deal with the traffic while we’re actually out there trying to keep the roads safe,” Britt said.

Staying off the roads and moving parked cars from streets to driveways also makes it easier for emergency crews to operate.