The city begins cleaning up slushy roads as the snow starts to melt
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)
Missouri has got through yet another snowstorm this year but it's left a big mess out on the roads which can make it difficult for drivers.
In a press release this morning, the City of Columbia announced its plans to continue treating and plowing residential streets throughout Friday. The city says rising temperatures, will send some plow trucks to priority streets as the snowpack begins to break up.
After crews make the priority roads passable they'll move onto plowing residential streets.
"As the sun continues to shine and temperatures begin to warm today, the salt treatments we've put down will begin to have a greater effect on the snow-packed roads," John Ogan who works for Columbia Public Works said.
As temperatures rise, drivers will start seeing snow on the road slush and fluff up, which will need to be plowed away. With this break-up of snow on the road, the city is warning motorists to take it slow and drive with caution because the chances of slickness will increase, especially on curves in the road.
However, Columbia resident, David Weitz doesn't see these types of conditions as threatening.
"I'm only driving like two minutes away, so I'll probably be driving like 20 miles an hour so I'll probably be fine," Weitz said.
Although Weitz isn't concerned about bad winter weather conditions, he does have a few safety tips he'll follow while he's out on the roads tonight.
"I probably won't blast my music like I usually do. and I'll probably be more cautious than I usually am, and just make sure I get there safe," Weitz said.
City streets ad highways aren't the only thing that are affecting residents. Columbia resident, Chey Deck says his neighborhood streets were dangerous to drive on today.
"My neighborhood hasn't been touched at all. I live right off of Rollands on a side street. They haven't been touched at all," Deck said.
For now, it is crucial for drivers to give themself ample time to get to their destinations and to avoid parking on snow routes. And as the sun keeps shining, Ogan says this will help melt the snow.
"As the sun continues to shine and temperatures begin to warm today, the salt treatments we've put down will begin to have a greater effect on the snow-packed roads, causing the snow to fluff and slush up. As this transition occurs, some of our trucks that are currently plowing residential roads will shift their focus back to first and second priority roads to reduce the amount of slush in the road and ensure that priority roads are being kept in a passable state."
