Columbia Public Works crews get ready for winter weather

Every year before winter weather starts, the Columbia Public Works Department has a winter weather preparation meeting and crews test drive their snow routes.

Crews said that during the preparation meeting Wednesday morning, supervisors talked about the snow routes and how some may have changed. They also taught new crew members what to do before, during and after a winter weather event.

Sam Thomas, a Columbia Public Works street superintendent, said snow plows policies have not changed, even after the ice storm last December that caught most people by surprise.

Thomas said the main issue crews faced during the ice storm last year was people getting off work early and congesting the roads, making it hard for crews to treat the roads and make them safer.

Thomas said the department stocked the salt dome full with 5,000 tons of salt.

Crews also learned what their schedules will be during a winter weather event. Once a winter weather shift starts, crews’ shifts change to 12-hour rotations.