MoDOT schedules 225 trucks for weekened snow coverage

Hundreds of employees between the Missouri Department of Transportation and Cole County Public Works are preparing for a long stretch of snow coverage.

“Definitely it’s all hands on deck response that we’re planning,” said assistant maintenance engineer Paul Denkler of MoDOT’s Central District.

Denkler said 450 employees will work for 36 hours driving 225 trucks across the district’s 18 counties. Their stretch of snow coverage starts Friday morning, Denkler said.

“It’s been a few years since we’ve had one hit not only our whole district, but our whole state,” Denkler said. For information on the weekend forecast, click here.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a snowfall of this depth,” said Cole County Public Works Director Larry Benz. “Everybody needs to make sure they plan ahead.”

Benz said their 26 trucks will cover paved roads, followed by gravel roads on Friday. When work is complete Friday evening, Benz said their crews will return early Saturday morning to continue working roadways.

“The good thing about this snow event is it is on a Saturday, we won’t have the rush hour traffic,” Benz said, adding they have 32 drivers and mechanics working the weekend. “Some of them will be disappointed not to watch the Chiefs game.”

The MoDOT Traveler Map has live updates on road conditions. Click here to see the map.