RIDOT Says They’re Prepared for Winter Weather
By: Tim Studebaker
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EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) – After a bit of a “false start” by Mother Nature a couple of weeks ago, RIDOT says it’s ready for whatever else comes our way this season.
Highway Maintenance Operations Engineer Joe Bucci says, “That first storm was a little early in the season, and you know you we had some difficulties with that, but we’re up to speed now.”
They say they have some new tools to help them out the next time winter weather strikes.
Governor Gina Raimondo says, “We were able to invest in this new equipment to keep these guys safe and also to keep the people of Rhode Island safe.”
That new equipment includes 18 new plow trucks at a cost of $4.4-million, bringing the state’s total to 150 trucks.
Attached to some of the new trucks is new equipment to help drivers do their jobs.
Bucci says, “There’s a camera that is mounted that allows us to see what the drivers see. They also have sensors that will give us road temperature, air temperature, wind speeds.”
Rhode Island also hires vendors to help with plowing, and they’re still accepting applications.
Bucci says, “If there are companies out there with some big trucks that they want to put plows on, we’ll welcome them gladly.”
Governor Raimondo says they’ve learned from mistakes made in past years too.
Raimondo says, “5 or 6 years ago, we ran out of salt. As I have said, we got into a pinch. And we want to make sure that never happens again.”
The Governor says that’s why the state has stockpiled a record 60–thousand tons of salt this year.
Raimondo says “Winter is upon us, and we want to make sure that we are ready.”
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
