Columbia crews focus on clearing lower-priority streets

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Road conditions in Columbia were improving thanks to sunlight and higher temperatures Wednesday, but slush is likely to hang around on many streets.

Columbia Public Works spokesman Barry Dalton said Wednesday afternoon that it was yet to be determined whether an overnight plow crew would be needed. Salt was improving road conditions, but slush was still an issue, he said.

Priority roads were mostly clear Wednesday, but crews continued to work to clear residential areas, where snowpack continued to cling to streets.

“What we’re really concerned about is can you drive your front-wheel-drive vehicle if you absolutely have to?" Dalton said. "And so all the inspectors inspected all streets and all streets are in the passable condition, but they are continuing to work today to improve some of the trouble spots.”

Temperatures were in the low teens Wednesday morning, which limited salt effectiveness overnight.

The Missouri Department of Transportation listed most Columbia area roads as mostly clear on Wednesday.