Plow drivers clean up after 1st storm of winter

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The first snowstorm of the winter brought several inches of snow across Southern New England, bringing the region’s first plowable snow to the area on the final day of February. 

 This surprisingly quiet winter snow far has been difficult on those in the snow removal business, who haven’t had much to do these past few months. 

“We’ve been out quite a few times this year sanding and salting, but this is the first winter storm that we had to go get the plows on the road and really scrape,” said the Cranston Highway Division’s superintendent John Corso. 

For many, Tuesday’s storm meant a day off from school or work. But for Corso and many others in the snow removal business, it was finally time to get to work. 

Cranston had 50 city trucks out on the streets overnight and into Tuesday, as well as 60 private vendors contracted for the storm. 

Many other cities and towns across the state followed a similar pattern, going out in full force for the storm. The Department of Transportation also prepared, with 150 state trucks and 250 vendors on the roads, equipped with more than 45,000 tons of salt.  

Corso described Tuesday’s snow as wet, adding we’re lucky there wasn’t too much snow.  

“It’s not powdery snow. It’s wet, there’s a lot of moisture in it,” Corso said. “But we’re lucky we didn’t get a large amount, so they’re clearing the streets with no problem at all.” 

As crews remained out throughout the day, Corso reminded drivers to take it slow on the roads, keep their distance when behind a snowplow, and not pass any they see on the road to avoid any dangers.