As winter weather moves in, Jefferson City officials monitor conditions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Crews with Jefferson City Public Works are on call as the latest weather system heads east.

Britt Smith, the department's operations division director, said crews were not called in to pre-treat the roads.

"Since we recently had some snow, we believe we have quite a bit of residue that is actually out there on the pavement from the salts we applied before," Smith said. "We think we've essentially taken care of pre-treatment with that situation, so we're as prepared as we can be right now."

Jefferson City Transit Division manager Mark Mehmert watches the forecast and determines with city leaders, including public works, whether bus routes will be canceled in inclement weather. Mehmert said he has only seen the transit division completely close once in five years.

"Generally speaking, when we have inclement weather we try to stay open as long as we can and as long as we can operate safely," Mehmert said.

Mehmert said recently, the division curtailed services because of icy conditions on exits and ramps.

Meanwhile, Jefferson City Schools have already been out for two snow days and two delayed-starts this school year.

Superintendent Larry Linthacum said district officials are watching conditions for the rest of the week in case there is a need to delay, cancel or release school early.

"We try to give as much notice as we can while trying to make an educated decision on that as we work through the process," Linthacum said. He said they want to make sure students and teachers are safe on their way to and from school.

Linthacum also said the decision is never an easy one.

"This is my twelfth year of doing this, and I don't claim to have it figured out," Linthacum said.

The district plans to hold school two days after Memorial Day because of snow days.