The Missouri Department of Transportation says it’s prepared for the return of harsh winter weather to the region.
The agency’s southwest district says crews are watching weather forecasts and snow plows are ready and loaded with salt to clear area roadways of ice and snow if necessary. Snow and frigid temperatures are forecast starting Wednesday afternoon.
Last year, MoDOT spent $3.5 million on snow-clearing operations.
As it has in the past, MoDOT prioritizes its plowing operations by focusing on clearing major roadways like I-44, I-49, Route 60, Route 65 and Route 249 as quickly as possible. According to the agency, crews will work around the clock until the major roads are back to normal condition following a winter storm. As time allows, lesser traveled roadways will be plowed and treated.
MoDOT says it has more than 300 pieces of snow-clearing equipment, close to 600 fulltime snowplow operators and 31,000 tons of salt disbursed among its maintenance facilities.
MoDOT’s Winter Travel Page includes information about winter travel along with a link to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map.
In Springfield, Superintendent of Streets Ron Bailey says crews have been preparing for the snow removal season since September and have over 9,000 tons of salt on-hand.
