Jefferson City, Cole County road crews prepare for long shifts as winter storm moves in

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Public works crews in Cole County and Jefferson City are prepping for long days ahead as a winter storm will likely bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to Mid-Missouri starting early Thursday.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather team has issued a Weather Alert Day and parts of Mid-Missouri are under a winter storm warning. Public works crews in the capital city are not strangers to dealing with snow-covered roads, but long hours can take a toll. Leadership staff in Jefferson City and Cole County said Thursday that workers are encouraged to take plenty of breaks during long shifts on the road.

Bryan Boyce, road and parks superintendent with Cole County Public Works, said road crews' shifts can be between 12 and 18 hours during winter storms.

"It can be really hard on them to have to deal with long, long periods of being in that truck," Boyce said.

Cole County crews are encouraged to take plenty of breaks to keep from getting burnt out or exhausting themselves.

"We want our drivers to come in and take a break every once in a while, whether they're out on the road or they're stopping in here for a load of salt or some fuel," Boyce said. "Get out and stretch your legs for a bit, we've always got coffee on the pot, hopefully, have a few snacks here or there for them."

Britt Smith, operations division director for Jefferson City Public Works, said in an interview with ABC 17 News that crews should only have to work one shift because the storm will be smaller than the mid-February storm that dumped 10 inches of snow or more on some parts of Mid-Missouri.

"This job does make for some long hours," Smith said. "We're hopeful that with this particular event, we can keep this into one shift -- it's a long shift -- but a one-shift day."

Like Cole County, Jefferson City Public Works crews are encouraged to take a lot of breaks and get out of the trucks to stretch their legs.

Check back for updates to this developing story and watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.