|
Maria Casteneda of the Illinois Department of Transportation
said staffing levels for the winter response team have been down
approximately 10-15% since the start of the pandemic. IDOT has
openings for both full and part-time snow plow drivers.
IDOT is committed to staying outside working until the roads are
clear. It just might take a little longer with fewer trucks,
Casteneda said.
Motorists can do their part by staying home if they don’t need
to be out driving. If you have to go out, be patient and give
the plows plenty of room to work.
“Even with a car that handles really well in the snow, driving
through it is one thing. But you need to be able to stop if you
have to,” Casteneda said.
Enjoy the newly plowed road behind the plow instead of being in
a rush to get out and pass the truck, she said.
It is hard for snow plow drivers to see vehicles that are trying
to pass them.
“The driver’s side vision is a lot more restrictive than ours,”
Casteneda said.
When trucks get hit, IDOT has to take them off the system.
“That’s one less truck out there plowing snow,” Casteneda said.
Routine trips take longer in the winter, Casteneda said. Resign
yourself to needing more time to get where you are going.
“You don’t have to drive like a grandma, but flying along is
risky when the roads get even a little wet,” Casteneda said.
A single disabled vehicle can cause serious traffic tie-ups and
significant delays, she said.
Motorists whose vehicles break down should stay in their cars
and dial 911 or *999 if they are in the greater Chicago area.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman reminds drivers to
move over when they see an accident to give troopers and
emergency vehicles plenty of room. Troopers and emergency
responders are risking their lives whenever they stop and assist
stranded drivers, Osman said.
This winter, IDOT will have more than 1,800 trucks available for
deployment in snowstorms.
They will plow more than 17,000 centerline miles of roads
statewide, the equivalent of driving back and forth between New
York City and Los Angeles three times. Salt domes are at
capacity, with more than 558,190 tons on hand to treat the
roads.
|
|
