Mid-Missouri road crews prepare for dangerous conditions Sunday

Plows in Mid-Missouri are prepped and ready to tackle another winter weather event that could pummel drivers on the road.

Several inches of snow could accumulate throughout the state Saturday night into Sunday morning, and public works departments are already warning drivers to be careful behind the wheel.

“We don’t need anybody getting stranded out with the temperatures they’re talking about,” said Cole County Public Works Director Larry Benz. “It’s going to be a dangerous cold after the storm gets done.”

Britt Smith, the operations division director of Jefferson City Public Works, said they plan on sending out crews once snow begins to fall late Saturday or early Sunday.

“I think Sunday afternoon we’re going to be in fairly decent shape, if the forecast holds. Sunday morning, probably a good time to stay in,” Smith said.

Some churches in Mid-Missouri pre-emptively canceled Sunday services on Friday afternoon.

After battling several winter weather events this season, Smith said the department is asking the city council for additional money to replenish their salt supply.

“We’ve spent more on salt than certainly we had budgeted for,” Smith said.

The department will ask city council for up to $130,000 in additional funds Monday to refill the salt supply.

Jefferson City Public Works has spent over $390,000 on salt and other chemicals so far this season, compared the $132,594 spent in 2017.