Corn Row Wind Breaks come to Ashtabula County
ODOT District 4 is at it again first with the Tow Plow and now enacting another simple way to keep more snow off the roads which will provide a safer commute for motorists. ODOT is partnering with farmers asking them to leave 24 rows of corn in their fields which helps to prevent snow drifting on ODOT maintained roads. Ashtabula County ODOT officials have been working to use this innovative and “green” approach to help minimize wind-blown snow to reduce drifting.
The 2010-11 winter season was the first time that ODOT has used corn stalks as a wind break. It proved to be a more viable approach in controlling drifting than a traditional plastic snow fence.
“The first year was a great success. Visibility and road conditions were greatly improved throughout the winter at last year’s site,” Rebecca Armstrong Ashtabula County Transportation Manager said. “This provided a much safer roadway to travel during snow events when the winds are high in rural Ashtabula County.”
The process of setting up a corn row wind break is quite simple. ODOT officials contact local farmers on the state routes that are susceptible to drifting snow. A partnership is formed with the farmers to keep 24 rows of corn in place until April.
With the reduction of drifting corn rows it lessens the time a snow plow driver would spend concentrating on an area to open the roadway for safe travel. Thus it gives the driver more time to focus on other areas on their routes.
For more information contact:
Brent Kovacs at (330) 786-2208 or email D04.PIO@dot.state.oh.us