Public works crews in Columbia/Boone County prepare ahead of our next winter storm
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Public works crews in Columbia/Boone County are preparing to treat roads during the next winter storm that is expected to bring threats of snow, freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures Tuesday night through Friday morning.
John Ogan with Columbia Public Works said the length of this particular storm is going to be a major challenge.
"There's going to be snow anticipated all through the day Wednesday and then into Thursday. And with such a long period of snowfall, there's going to be a lot of accumulation, which makes snow removal a challenge because that additional snow is just going to keep piling on."
Boone County crews are also preparing for the impacts.
"We are fully loaded with salt so that's not an issue. We do have all of our equipment up and running, and we plan to start overnight crews tomorrow night and continue around the clock operation until it's all said and done," said Greg Edington, director of the road and bridge department for Boone County.
Snow amounts of 8 to 12 inches are expected in the area, but Ogan said snow isn't the only concern. "It's going to be raining before the snow starts, so we have to be there right as it changes over from rain to snow because if you apply treatment too early that rains gonna wash it away."
Columbia Public Works also deployed a new type of snow removal vehicle this winter: the Class 5 truck.
Ogan says the trucks are a great addition because the department can call people in who don't normally work in the snow removal business.
"You don't need a CDL (commercial drivers license) to drive those trucks. They handle quite a bit like a regular pickup truck and yet they're big enough to hold almost as much salt as a much bigger single axle vehicle," Ogan said.
The city says it will have 30 trucks ready to clear the roadways while the county will add an additional 16.
Ogan said the response is going to prioritize the first and second priority roads and then the third priority roads and then move to the residential streets as time and conditions allow for it.
"First priority roads are those major residential roads, things near schools and hospitals. Examples of that might be Broadway, Vandiver, or Green Meadows road. Next, we have the second priority roads. These are some of the more heavily traveled collector roads. Some examples of those might be like, Derby Ridge Drive, Fairview and Arcade," Ogan said.
With the added factor of gusty winds, there could be reduced visibility on the roadways on top of the slick conditions.
Crews are advising people to stay in if possible and take extra precautions if they do need to hit the roadways.
"Drive to the conditions, slower speeds, sure distance to the next driver," Edington said. "Keep a distance from the plows, give them plenty of room to operate, and definitely keep it slow. Use prudent winter weather driving skills and operate based on conditions and be ready for things to change rapidly," Ogan added.
