DOT preps for weekend snow with new fleet of trucks
By Alana Cerrone
@Alana_Cerrone
Regardless of how much snow we get this weekend, RIDOT has to be prepared.
This winter, they’ve got a fleet of 13 new plows – which cost $225,000 each – that are built to withstand New England winters.
Just because snowfall isn’t going to be quite as significant as expected this weekend doesn’t mean crews will change their game plan.
DOT says unless it’s a blizzard like they’re expecting in the Washington, D.C. area, they prepare for every forecasted weather event in the same way.
"Our preparations are pretty standard…we make sure the materials are ready the trucks are ready…for this one they’re predicting high winds so we may have tree vendors on standby…so we’re prepared and ready for whatever nature has to throw at us."
As far as pre-treating the roads goes, you might see a white-ish tint on the roadways already. That’s leftover salt that will keep initial snowfall from sticking.
Once roads start to get wet again, crews will head back out with more salt.
One thing the DOT is stressing is that drivers give plows plenty of room on the roads.
They said some people tend to get too close. The best place to drive, of course, is behind the plow.
© WLNE-TV 2016
