MoDOT crews prepare for winter season

As temperatures begin to drop, Missouri Department of Transportation crews are once again kicking into high gear in preparation for the upcoming snow and ice season.

Assistant Chief Engineer Don Hillis said the department has worked hard to be more efficient in its snow-removal activities, and those efforts have paid off.

The department used 69,733 tons less salt last winter despite a statewide average of 6 more inches of winter precipitation.

"We had a record snow on Feb. 1 that closed Interstate 70 for the first time in history, and still spent $11 million less on snow and ice removal last year than we did the winter before. That means more money for projects," he said.

Hillis said MoDOT's statewide plan of attack remains the same as in previous years.

Crews will focus on getting roads drivable in bad weather by treating the highest-traveled major roads and regionally significant roads first until they are mostly clear.