Bitter Cold Making It Hard for MoDOT To Clear Roads

Driving last night from my home to the local Caseys was a slip-sliding adventure along Gay Street to Maguire in Warrensburg. And whether you were traveling on Highway 50 or Interstate 70, it wasn't much better yesterday night. Now, the Missouri Department of Transportation says it may not get much better tomorrow on the routes they're responsible for.

MoDOT says, "Expect slow travel as conditions will not be clear in many areas for Friday morning’s commute, especially in St. Louis, Springfield, and the southern portion of the state. Motorists should be cautious for refreeze on elevated surfaces and on hills and curves."

Plows have driven 800,000 miles clearing roads in this storm. Three times the distance between Earth and the Moon says Becky Allmeroth, MoDOT Chief Safety, and Operations Officer. Additionally, crews have already spread 10,000 tons of salt on Missouri roadways.

So what's the problem? Gusty winds cause snow drifts that make plowing largely ineffective. Single-digit temperatures inhibit the ability of road salt to effectively melt snow and ice. And oh yeah, in the lower third of the State, the prediction for another round of snow and or winter weather. To that end, MoDOT expects areas south of Interstate 44 to the Arkansas state line to be impacted by tonight's weather system.

MoDOT crews will be on their third twelve-hour shift by Friday morning trying to keep the roads clear for motorists. MoDOT continues to ask motorists to take it slow and watch out for ice and frozen surfaces on hills, curves, and elevated surfaces.

A great resource for those who need to travel is the MoDOT Traveler's Information Map. In the winter it's a great resource to see if the roads you're traveling are clear, partially snow-covered, or completely snow-covered.

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