ODOT crews busy performing preparations

GARFIELD HEIGHTS (Monday, January 31, 2011) – The calm before the storm is settling in over Greater Cleveland and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews are hard at work preparing equipment for the forecasted wintery mix.

ODOT mechanics and snowplow drivers have spent this time changing plow blades, calibrating salt spreaders and performing necessary maintenance on District 12 trucks.  This winter storm is predicted to last multiple days, therefore it is important to have all available snowplows up and running before the storm arrives.  

At the height of the storm, District 12 – which includes Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties – will have 70 snowplows on the roads keeping them safe and passable for motorists. 

Along with performing maintenance on its fleet of snowplows, ODOT is pre-treating area roadways with a salt/water brine solution to reduce the chances of ice bonding to the pavement.

Local forecasts predict the snow to begin late Monday night and continue through the Tuesday morning rush.  With snow expected to hit during peak travel times, motorists are encouraged to:

• KNO B4 U GO by logging onto www.BuckeyeTraffic.org for up-to-date driving conditions;
• Don’t crowd the plow.  Give them extra room to work so the roadway are safe and passable;
• Allow for extra time for their morning travels; and

·    Don’t drive distracted.  Put down mobile devices and focus on the task at hand.

No matter how many inches of snow are predicted to fall, ODOT crews will continue working to clear the roads well after the last flake falls.  

Remember:  In Ice and Snow…Take it Slow!

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For more information contact:
The ODOT District 12 Communications Office at (216) 584-2006

or email D12.PublicInformation@dot.state.oh.us