ODOT conducts snowplow checks, prepares for winter
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WINTERSVILLE -- As area residents don their sweaters and jackets to face cooler weather, the Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 has been taking its own steps to prepare for the coming winter winter.
ODOT District 11 -- which covers seven Eastern Ohio counties, including Jefferson -- has been hosting its annual winter readiness events to showcase its snowplow truck fleets and salt stockpiles. Wednesday's event at the district's Jefferson County garage on county Road 43 served as a reminder to residents that "Winter is coming, whether we like it or not," said Lauren Borell, public information officer for the district.
On display were 16 snowplow trucks, out of a district total of 118 trucks. ODOT mechanics are conducting 150-point inspections in preparation for the winter, Borell said.
"They are looking at every truck -- front to back, side to side, top to bottom," Borell said. "We just want to make sure that everything is in working order, so that way, when the snow flies, these trucks are ready to hit the road."
Borell said Jefferson County's trucks cover 462 lane miles across 12 snow routes, with 37 miles per individual route. Those miles consist of roads outside of cities, villages and municipalities, which are responsible for their own plowing. However, ODOT can have maintenance agreements with municipalities that its trucks will be passing through.
Some trucks might look slightly different or have some additional features, Borell said, but each one has the basic salt spreader and snowplow components to accomplish the department's "signature service."
Borell said that how the individual driver handles a snow or ice event is dependent on the specific conditions. Drivers will monitor a pavement temperature sensor to determine what treatment is necessary. Bridges, for example, freeze quickly and may require pre-treatment using a salt brine solution.
The Jefferson County garage has 20 full-time drivers who work 12-hour shifts to provide 24/7 coverage of roads during snow and ice events, Borell said. Also, the district hires seasonal drivers, for which it is seeking to fill two open positions. Applicants must have a valid Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License and full tanker endorsement.
Jeff Wood has been a driver for about 20 years. His current assigned route takes him from Richmond up on state Route 43 to East Springfield, then on state Route 152 to Empire. Each driver has his or her own route, but drivers can come and assist others if needed.
Certain trucks are equipped with tandem plows, one mounted on the front and another on the side, to handle four-lane highways, Wood said. A control panel in the truck allows for control of the plow's orientation.
For salt and brine distribution, a truck can switch between using a spinner mechanism or a bar. Wood said the latter option runs from mudflap to mudflap and is primarily used to distribute brine for largescale pre-treating or while on hills or turns.
Borell said drivers take pride in their work, clearing the roads for those who need to get to school or for first responders. Wood agreed, adding, "Your family runs these roads, so you do try to take care of them."
Each plow has its own personality, thanks to the district's Paint a Plow program, which gives nonprofit agencies including schools, churches and clubs a chance to paint and customize one of the plows. Plows are made available for the program in the spring and early fall, and many of this year's plows bore the names of Jefferson County elementary and middle schools.
Trucks are washed after each time out and then parked indoors, Borell said. The Jefferson County garage is a "year-round, full-service maintenance facility for our maintenance work," which she Borell said includes guardrail repair, resurfacing, mowing and paving. ODOT itself is funded primarily through the state motor fuel tax.
The 2022-2023 winter season in Eastern Ohio was a relatively warm one, Borell said, resulting in a 4,074-ton difference in salt used that season, as compared to the 2021-2022 season. Also, the district reported a 19,700-mile difference between the two seasons in terms of total miles driven.
Although last season resulted in less salt material being purchased, Jefferson County is stocked with about 8,000 tons of salt among the main garage and its outposts in Bergholz, Dillonvale and Toronto.
Regardless of the weather conditions this season brings, Borell advised drivers on how to handle snow and ice events.
"We always remind folks to avoid travel, if possible (during a snow or ice event)," Borell said. "However, we know that there are times when it is necessary to travel, and it is important to allow plenty of travel time."
Borell said drivers should keep plenty of stopping distance between their vehicles and other vehicles, particularly with the snowplows. The saying "Don't crowd the plow" instructs others how to treat the large and difficult-to-stop snowplows on a four-lane highway.
"Something folks need to keep in mind with any plow truck (is that) these truck drivers have their hands full. Inside, they're controlling their material usage, they're watching the pavement temperature, they're watching their speed and they're watching for drivers. They've got a lot going on and it's important for drivers to do their part to give them room and be mindful of them."
As the district inspects its own trucks, Borell said, it's important for everyday citizens to make sure their own vehicles are prepared to handle snow by checking tires, stocking windshield wiper fluid, readying snow brushes and packing an extra blanket and water in case of an emergency.
Borell said ODOT has resources available for the public's use at OHGO.com, which contains information on weather conditions, speed, traffic cameras and construction delays. Additionally, the department has a snow and ice FAQ page at transportation.ohio.gov.