January 17, 2024 |
Photo – Snowplow Safety card – Courtesy WYDOT
Last weekend’s high wind and subzero temperatures made it difficult for WYDOT plow drivers. A low-pressure weather system over the weekend brought temperatures which regularly dipped below zero. The brutal cold and wind made life hard for Wyoming commuters, especially those traveling Interstate 80 between Laramie and Elk Mountain.
Wyoming Department of Transportation Senior Public Relations Specialist Andrea Staley said WYDOT plow crews must use different road clearing techniques when temperatures get close to zero. Staley said the extreme cold wasn’t as hard to deal with as the strong wind.
Staley said high wind caused drifting snow and ground blizzards. The WYDOT public relations specialist said over the weekend, reduced visibility caused by blowing snow resulted in temporary road closures. Specifically in Carbon County, I80 and Highway 30 were completely shut down from Sunday into Monday morning. Staley said plow crews used their typical mixture of salt and sand to keep the roads safe for motorists.
Staley said the wind can be a double-edged sword for plow crews. The WYDOT public relations specialist said blowing snow can limit driver visibility, but can also scour light snow from the road surface. Staley said the portion of I80 running between Albany and Carbon Counties is particularly windy.
Staley said when the weather gets bad, WYDOT plow crews will work 12-hour shifts to keep the roads open. The public relations specialist said last winter’s heavy snowfall forced some plow crews to work up to 16 hours in a single day.
Staley said WYDOT plow crews must clear the roads no matter what it takes. The public relations specialist said the wind can often cause more problems for plow crews than the snow.
Staley said plow crews do their best to keep commerce moving along the state’s major roadways during the winter. The WYDOT public relations specialist said the importance of what plow crews do is often overlooked.
Staley said plow crews put themselves in danger to protect motorists. The WYDOT public relations specialist encouraged the public to be cautious and courteous when driving near snowplows.
Over the past three years, nearly 70 WYDOT plow trucks have been involved in traffic collisions. Plow drivers often operate when visibility is low due to blowing wind. Staley said thankfully, no plow trucks were hit in Carbon County during last weekend’s storms.
