MoDOT snow removal procedures outlined

As part of its goal to provide the safest road conditions possible during adverse weather conditions, The Northwest District of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has established a procedure for snow and ice removal for the 2000-2001 season.

Road Conditions Reports: Thanks to a cooperative agreement between MoDOT and the Missouri Highway Patrol, general road conditions throughout the state of Missouri are available by calling a toll-free number: 1-800-222-6400, or via the Internet at WWW.MoDOT.STATE.MO.US. Road reports are updated at least four times daily and more frequently as major weather changes occur.

First Response: The Department’s goal is to have MoDOT trucks on the road responding to a storm as quickly as possible after notification from our various weather sources. All roads will be cleared according to the following priorities (unless there is an emergency):

First Priority: Continuous coverage will be given to interstates, high volume highways and hazardous spots such as steep grades, sharp curves, intersections, bridges, bridge approaches and railroad crossing approaches and heavier traveled sections of both primary and secondary highways. Our goal is to have these roadway surfaces plowed and treated to the extent that only widely scattered areas of packed snow remain. This work is to be completed within five hours of the ending of a storm.

Second Priority: Heavier traveled sections of both primary and secondary highways (determined by traffic density and danger spots) will be dealt with next. This priority shall continue until all primary or through routes are open to two-way traffic. This work is to be completed within seven hours of the ending of a storm.

Third Priority: Lighter traveled sections of secondary highway will be treated last. Special allowances will be made for school bus routes, commuter routes, etc. Generally, traffic on these roads may be impeded until the primary or through routes are open to two-way traffic. Our goal is to have these routes plowed and open to two-way traffic and treated with salt and/or abrasives on all hills, curves and intersections prior to the times of 6-7 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. (The start of the morning and evening rush hours.)

Emergencies: In the event of an emergency, the above priorities will be waived to assure that roads, driveways or private property is cleared for emergency equipment access. Requests for such emergency service must be channeled through a law enforcement agency.

Driveways/Private Property Plowing: MoDOT snowplows will not clear private driveways or private property such as parking lots except in an emergency (see above). It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove snow from driveways and sidewalks. Property owners are reminded to move the snow from their drives onto the shoulder in the direction of traffic. If the snow is not placed with the direction of the traffic our plows move the snow back into the drive. Placing the snow in the direction of traffic will help to keep the drives open.

Materials: Conditions may warrant the application of salt or abrasives or a mixture of both. Temperature conditions may also call for the application of liquid salt solutions (salt brine) to a roadway before a storm to prevent snow accumulation. Before a snow or ice storm hits, the Northwest District will pre-treat roadways and bridges to inhibit the formation of tightly compacted snow and ice buildups. This works by turning frozen precipitation into liquid that will not freeze and either evaporates or is more easily removed by traditional snow-removal techniques.

“For example,” says Tom Johnson, the Northwest District’s Assistant District Engineer, ” If a winter storm is forecast for a Sunday and we have proper notification and preparation time, our crews will apply the salt brine solution on Friday. The chemical solution dries and might appear to be gone, but salt from the solution remains on the pavement surface and can maintain its effectiveness for several days.”

Although there are several weather conditions in which it is not advisable to use the salt brine solution (rain, dry snow combined with high winds, or extreme cold), for some conditions it has proven to be very effective.

MoDOT encourages all motorists to allow extra time and use extreme caution when driving during winter storms, especially when encountering snow removal equipment. Motorists should keep a safe distance behind the equipment to avoid being hit by salt and abrasives being spread from the rear of the truck and to be able to stop in case of an emergency.

Snowplow blades are also wider than the trucks they are mounted on and may sometimes deceive drivers about their actual location on the road. Plows extend several feet in front of trucks, so motorists should be extra cautions when passing snowplows.

If you require additional information, the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Customer Service Center may be reached by calling 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (1-888-275-6636).