GETTING READY — In preparation for this winter, mechanics with the Ohio Department of Transportation on Wednesday assessed plow trucks at the agency’s Steubenville garage, many of which have been painted by students at area schools. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — On Wednesday, crews with the Ohio Department of Transportation set about inspecting 16 trucks at the agency’s Steubenville garage in an effort to ensure they are well prepared for the winter.

Morgan Eibel, regional public information officer for ODOT, said each of the trucks will undergo a 150 point inspection by two mechanics from ODOT’s District 11 headquarters.

She said it’s not that the trucks aren’t checked at other times of the year, but ODOT officials like to take a concerted effort before colder months, and possible ice and snow, arrive.

Eibel noted the trucks receive a lot of wear, with the local crews driving them more them more than 115,000 miles last year.

She said plow trucks throughout the district’s seven counties were driven more than 800,000 miles for the year, dispensing about 65,500 tons of salt onto snowy or icy roadways.

“We had more of a winter last year than in previous years,” said Eibel.

She said state crews are tasked with maintaining about 3,300 miles of road in the district, including 470 miles of road in Jefferson County.

But Eibel noted their efforts often are intensified when inclement weather occurs, with plow trucks often taking to the roads in two 12-hour shifts.

She said the goal is to clear or treat primary roads within two hours and secondary roads within four hours, and statewide ODOT crews attained 99 percent of that goal.

“The staff at this garage takes a lot of pride in taking care of the roads,” she said.

The local garage employs 22 full-time drivers but may call upon other staff, who also hold commercial driver’s licenses, to serve as auxiliary drivers if needed, said Eibel.

She said ODOT also has hired up to 500 seasonal drivers to supplement its year-round staff of 3,000 drivers, though a need for the temporary workers currently isn’t anticipated at the local garage.

As the ODOT mechanics studied and tested various parts of the plow trucks, a casual survey of the vehicles revealed the various school logos and other images painted on the plows by students at area schools.

Some of the images were faded or incomplete, revealing the wear seen by the plows since they were painted in years past.

More pristine was the name and logo of Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, which was painted by students from the career technical school.

Because enamel paint was used and a clear coating added, it’s expected to weather the elements a little better.

Crews noted students at Edison High School will be working on another pair of plows.

Craig Ondusko, transportation manager at the Steubenville garage, said, “It’s nice for the kids who painted them to see their work on the roads.”

He said when it comes time to repaint the blades, an effort is made to invite the same schools to perform the task.

Eibel said there’s another reason for drivers to watch for ODOT’s plow trucks on the roads.

She said last year 54 plow trucks were struck by other vehicles.

None of the collisions occurred in Jefferson County, though one such incident happened there the previous year, with no injuries reported, said ODOT officials.

Eibel said it’s very important for drivers to maintain a distance from the trucks and to avoid distractions at all times.

“Moving over and slowing down isn’t just good advice when approaching plow trucks. It applies to any vehicle with flashing lights,” she said, noting drivers also may encounter police, emergency or disabled vehicles throughout the year but especially in winter.