Road Agency Prepared For Winter

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snow5000-9

The Michigan Department of Transportation is ready to go for the winter. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News construction projects in southwest Michigan, especially Berrien County, look like they’ll all be wrapped up before construction work is no longer possible.

“In southwest Michigan, for the most part, I know we were able to get everything buttoned up,” Schirripa said. “I know the winter weather came a little bit sooner than we hoped, but contractors are doing their best to work their way at it and get it tied up yet this year.”

Although there’s now snow in all parts of the state, Schirripa says they can still get some work in.

“Right now, for the most part, it’s warm enough, at least during the day, that it’s essentially just rain on the roads,” Schirripa said.” we’re not seeing a lot of that freezing yet.”

Schirripa tells us MDOT has just finished hiring all the winter maintenance staff they’ll need, and they’ve got 16,500 tons of salt ready with another 42,000 tons available if needed. Last winter in the southwest region, MDOT used 54,000 tons of salt. You can track the plows and see dash cam footage at Michigan.gov/Drive.