Snow plows ready for winter driving
/ File photo
With snowflakes in the forecast, it’s important to start thinking about the winter driving season. The New York State Thruway is reminding drivers to get their vehicles ready for what’s to come in the next several months.
"Safety is our number one priority,” said Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Thomas J. Madison. "The Thruway Authority's winter maintenance crews are dedicated 24 hours a day to plow snow and de-ice the pavement so motorists can safely reach their destinations in a timely fashion."
More than 600 Thruway employees maintain the 570 mile-long stretch of I-90. More than 200 large plow trucks with salt spreaders are on standby for the first big snowstorm. Also, two large snow blowers are being added to the fleet to improve snow and ice operations, bringing the total of large snow blowers to five. The new units will be stationed in Syracuse and in the Tappan Zee Bridge corridor.
This winter, Thruway officials expect to use approximately 180,000 tons of rock salt which includes 50,000 tons of pre-treated salt; 175,000 gallons of salt brine; and 50,000 gallons of beet brine mixture.
The Thruway will continue to use renewable sugar beet juice and salt brine mixture. The beet brine mixture will be used as an anti-icing agent in both a direct liquid application ahead of a storm, and in the pretreatment of rock salt. Drivers can expect to see the beet brine mixture used throughout the Albany, Syracuse, Weedsport, Waterloo, Manchester and Rochester areas.
Thruway officials have also installed thousands of feet of "living snow fence" plantings at numerous locations on I-90. These plantings include willows or evergreen trees, depending on location. They provide a natural barrier, reducing drifting snow on the highway and ramps, and eliminating the need to install, maintain, and remove the temporary snow fence on a seasonal basis.
The Thruway Authority offers drivers these winter driving safety tips:
• Get your vehicle tuned up.
• Always buckle your seat belt and require your passengers to do the same.
• Don't use hand-held communication devices while driving (it's against the law).
• Use your headlights, as required by law.
• Keep your gasoline tank at least half full at all times.
• Warm up your vehicle in accordance with operating instructions, and remove all ice and snow from windows and vehicle surfaces before starting your trip.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, gloves, hats, flashlight with extra batteries, shovel, sack of sand, food, water and any needed medication.
• Plan your trips carefully, listen to local weather reports and the National Weather Service for weather conditions predicted along your travel route.
• If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it until it's safe to pass.
• Be alert and allow extra distance between your vehicle and others.
When you see a snowplow driver, remember they have a limited field of vision, so stay back at least 15 car lengths until you're sure it is safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road.
If your car breaks down, activate four-way flashers and park disabled vehicles on the right shoulder. Do not walk along the highway. For Thruway assistance, tie a cloth to the driver side mirror and wait in the vehicle. Should an emergency occur, motorists are advised to call either 911 or (800) 842-2233. You should never walk along the highway.
You can find updated information on road conditions by clicking here.
For statewide traffic information, click here.
