Missouri Department of Transportation, Columbia Public Works prepare roads for freezing rain
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Parts of Mid-Missouri are expected to receive freezing rain Monday morning that could lead to slick road conditions, according to authorities.
District Maintenance Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation Jason Shafer said the department began preparations Saturday night in anticipation of a dangerous Monday morning commute. Maintenance will continue through Monday, consisting of crews applying salt to roads until conditions improve.
"A combination of salt, salt brine, beet juice, abrasives, just a little bit... you know, depending upon what road it is, is how we're going to treat it but you know we're gonna make sure we've touched everything," Shafer said.
Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan said a crew of 19 workers will report at 11 p.m. Sunday to begin treating priority roads in the city. Ogan said treatment will continue until temperatures are above freezing, which is expected to happen around noon Monday, according to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team.
Ogan also noted that the rain poses the threat of washing away salt treatments that have already been applied to roads.
"A lot of the roads have residual salts remaining on them, but that rain that's going to come in in advance has the potential to dilute a lot of that," Ogan said.
Operations Division Director with Jefferson City Public Works Britt Smith said the city plans to have all 24 of its plow trucks being treating roads early Monday morning, around midnight. Smith also said people should make note that sidewalks and parking lots around the city have the possibility of being more slick than roads, adding that people should be cautious of this.
A press release sent to ABC 17 News from the City of Columbia also states that Columbia Utilities will have extra crews available for the potential of downed power lines in the city.
"The Public Works department is prepping snowplows, materials and equipment; monitoring local, state and regional forecasts; and preparing a response plan," the release states. "City of Columbia Utilities will have additional crews on standby for the potential of downed power lines. The strong winds and weight of snow and ice on power lines and tree limbs could cause sporadic power outages."
Despite preparations being taken to treat the roads, authorities warn extra caution should be taken, and urge people to slow down while driving.
"I don't want anyone to think they're gonna be able to get up and go to work and everything is gonna be like normal," Shafer said. "It's still gonna be slick but you know we're really trying to minimize the effect mother nature's gonna have on us."
