Sunday, November 14, 2004
The winter of 2003-04 saw record snowfall amounts.
YOUNGSTOWN -- With summer's balmy weather behind us, the Ohio Department of Transportation is wrapping up its road construction and getting ready for snow removal.
Mohammed Darwish, ODOT District 4 deputy director, said drivers should soon see fewer orange barrels lining the roads. Crews will be getting trucks ready for snow and ice removal.
"Our highest priority is to ensure safe driving conditions for motorists," Darwish said.
District 4 includes Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula, Portage, Stark and Summit counties. There are 200 ODOT employees in District 4 who will be on call for snow and ice removal, said spokeswoman Jennifer Richmond.
She said District 4 spent more than $8.9 million last year on snow and ice control, using more than 1.5 million gallons of brine and 159,000 tons of road salt.
Preparing for the worst
With more than 145 trucks, ODOT crews treat roads with salt and liquid salt brine to prevent ice from forming as well as to break up ice. Richmond said the state has stockpiled supplies of ice and brine to brace for this winter.
"Last year was a record-setting year as far as snowfall goes, so we're hoping we don't have another year like that," Richmond said. "We prepare for the worst, though."
She said ODOT prioritizes roads for snow and ice removal during the winter. Interstate routes are treated first, followed by four-lane noninterstate routes, two-lane primary routes and then two-lane secondary routes.
Priority also is determined by emergency routes, local needs and traffic volumes.