GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A winter storm is set to hit Northeast Wisconsin today, potentially bringing up to half a foot of snow to the region.
Public works crews across Brown County are among those preparing for extensive salting and plowing operations.
Sean Gehin, director of public works for the Village of Allouez, said, “We’re going to prep our equipment this afternoon. Going to load our trucks with salt and then we’re just going to wait for the storm.”
Tony Fietzer, street superintendent for the City of De Pere, explained that preparations began early. “Starting this morning at 4:00 a.m., one of our employees was out anti-icing. All the equipment got filled up this morning, and when the snow comes, we’ll send trucks out to address our mains,” he said.
In Allouez, a full plow operation is triggered when snow accumulations exceed three inches. Gehin said, “If we’re going to go and do a full plow, then we send out eight pieces of equipment. That includes five power trucks, two front-end loaders and a grader.”
De Pere is also gearing up for the storm, with Fietzer noting, “We’ll have roughly 16 units that will be doing all the city streets and our city parking lots.”
Area-wide plowing typically takes six to eight hours, but the Wisconsin Department of Transportation may need a day or two to clear highways.
“We try to keep the roadways passable during the storm, and that means keeping as much snow and ice off the roads as possible, to accommodate safe travel speeds,” said Matt Ternes, Northeast Region maintenance supervisor for WisDOT said.
Challenges often arise from other drivers on the road. “Generally speaking, most of the crashes occur within the first two hours of a weather event. It’s very difficult when cars get right up behind them and tailgate,” Fietzer said.
Ternes advised, “If you do need to go out, again, stay back at least 200 feet to give those operators the chance to clear the roads.”
Residents are urged to practice patience and adhere to ordinances, such as no street parking, while waiting for roads to be cleared. As for the salt supply, officials assure there is plenty available.
“Our salt store shed is full and can store up to 600 tons of salt,” Gehin said. Fietzer added, “We’re actually sitting really well from last year, so our sheds are very full.”
Snowfall is expected to end sometime Friday morning
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