With snow in the forecast for the first time this season, the northwest region of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists to be prepared and slow down during inclement weather.
“Winter preparations at PennDOT start well before snow appears in the forecast. Not long after fall hits, our maintenance plans incorporate activities needed to ensure our equipment and employees are prepared for whatever the season ahead might bring,” said Aaron Fox, PennDOT Assistant District 1 Executive - Maintenance. “We determine shifts and divide into stockpile assignments; we review operating procedures and guidelines; and, of course, we mount plows on the trucks.”
Throughout the month of October, PennDOT crews in the northwestern counties of Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren readied for winter by completing preventative vehicle maintenance, mounting plows on the dump trucks, prepping other equipment, making brine mixtures, and stockpiling salt, anti-skid, and other materials, which are in good supply for the coming winter season.
Plow operators also drove their routes in preparation for upcoming winter season. Plow routes in District 1 can vary in length from 25 to 70 miles and can take between one and four hours to complete depending on traffic volume, weather conditions, and other factors.
During an active weather event, priority is typically given to roadways with the highest traffic volume, such as interstates, followed by other major roads, such as Route 19 or Route 8, then rural routes.
In District 1, PennDOT maintains 8,542 snow lane miles through the dedicated work of about 358 operators and 31 mechanics. The department is seeking additional licensed CDL equipment operators, mechanics, welders, and clerks for temporary and full-time positions. Anyone interested in working for PennDOT to apply online at www.employment.pa.gov.
“We ask the public to partner with us this winter to help everyone stay safe. This means traveling at appropriate speeds in snow and icy conditions, giving plow trucks plenty of room to do their job, and using headlights and flashlights to make sure you can see and be seen,” Fox said.
Motorists can do their part to prepare for potential wintry weather by allowing additional time in their commute and ensuring they have supplies in their vehicles, including food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.
For more information on PennDOT's winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department's winter website.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, sadaughert@pa.gov or 814-678-7095
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