By Holly Gaskill
Hours before the snow began falling, the Wells County Highway Department took a moment to enjoy a Christmas meal together.
The breakroom doesn’t fit all the employees at once, so they gathered around tables and chairs in the garage. By then, main roads were sand treated, anticipating the below-freezing temperatures. All the trucks were ready to begin plowing.
With 700 miles of road in Wells County, it’s no small task to ensure the roadways are clear for travel. That said, Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar said his crews are taking safety even more seriously during holiday travel and unique storm circumstances.
“The second the snow starts, they’re ready to go,” said Bonar. “They won’t think twice about it … this is just the calm before the storm.”
Their procedure all depends on the texture of the snow. If the snow is heavy and wet, it will be relatively easy to plow as it settles. However, if the snowfall is more fluffy, heavy winds could cause drifting snow and make plowing streets more difficult.
If the latter conditions occur after dark, Bonar said their crews will prioritize assisting emergency personnel. Leading up to and during winter weather, emergency services leadership coordinates decisions for travel and road safety together in a text group chat.
Generally, Bonar said the department plows the most popular travel routes first. However, it’s important to exercise caution for icy conditions even on plowed roads — pre-treatment of the roads may not have been as effective because of the preceding rain and exceptionally cold conditions.
“We all want to be spending time with our families this weekend — my drivers want to be spending time with their families this weekend — but we want everyone to be safe, and to keep the roads safe first,” Bonar said.
holly@news-banner.com
