Transportation Departments In The Tri-State Area Prepping For Winter Weather
By Jan Carabeo
PHILADLEPHIA (CBS) -- You might think it's too early to worry about snow and ice on the roads, but transportation departments in the tri-state area have been slowly getting ready for months and now -- crews are ramping up preparations.
It's certainly starting to feel colder during the overnight hours.
Winter weather is coming and should the flakes start to hit these roads sooner than later, crews are ready.
In Delaware -- DelDOT is inspecting its plows and preparations continue -- not only there -- but across the Delaware Valley.
On an unusual, near 70 degree day in November, PennDOT made use of the extra warmth to make sure everything is ready to go for the cold.
"Last year was extremely busy, we had 26 winter weather events, we had 22 between January 1st and March 20," says PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum. "That came to about 3.4 events a week.
To handle another harsh winter PennDOT is busy stockpiling supplies.
The salt-brine combo will get the region through the first couple storms and the salt pile keeps growing.
"Right, here you're looking at about 4,500 tons and 110-thousand tons of salt is already in place across the Philadelphia region," says Blaum.
The equipment is tuned up too.
In Delaware – DelDOT is now inspecting its fleet of plows and installing GPS -- so you can see in real time where its vehicles are located.
PennDOT is trying the technology for the first time this year too and plow drivers are learning their routes before they're covered in snow.
"They want to know what potential obstructions could be in the way on the route battling a snow storm."
PennDOT uses the same vehicles all year round, the last piece of the puzzle is installing the plow blade, but it's a quick and easy process. Now that they're ready, are you?
Sidney Edwards in Overbrook says he's not ready.
"Nope. not at all. "
Sheila McCrea has a different mindset.
"Bring it on. I'm ready."
NJ DOT say they've been doing much of the same preps and all the road crews want you to be prepared.
Don't wait until an impending storm, make sure your tires have tread and you have a good battery because winter weather is coming and you don't want to be caught off guard.
