With snow and ice forecast, road crews are in high gear, ensuring everything is in place to handle the incoming winter weather. Preparations began early this week, with crews inspecting snowplows, salt spreaders, and other essential equipment.
Crews have applied liquid brine and salt to roads, aiming to create a barrier that will prevent ice from bonding to the pavement when the snow begins to fall.
Starting Saturday afternoon, Edgerton Public Works teams will work in rotating shifts to plow snow, spread salt, and monitor conditions in real time.
“With the amount of ice and snow forecast, please be extra patient. It will take us time to get streets cleared. Our team is working around the clock, but this is a big storm. We want everyone to stay safe,” says Dan Merkh, Public Works Director.
Streets are plowed on a priority system, with major thoroughfares and high-trafficked areas receiving the most attention first. You can see the priority maps at this link.
Snow Event
If the City receives more than 2 inches of snow, a snow event will be declared. This means all vehicles must be removed from City streets within 2 hours or your vehicle may be towed. Moving vehicles off the street helps crews treat and plow roads more efficiently and effectively.
Residents are notified of snow events on the City’s social media, website and through Notify JoCo. If you have not signed up for Edgerton notifications, go to notifyjoco.org.
Road Safety
If you do need to be out during the storm, please drive cautiously. Here are a few tips from the Kansas Department of Transportation:
- When it snows, use your head not your feet. Slow down for wet, snowy, or icy conditions; when visibility is poor; or when conditions are changing or unpredictable. Don’t turn your vehicle into an ‘off-road vehicle’ by driving too fast for conditions.
- Avoid excessive actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle. When accelerating on snow or ice, take it slow to avoid slipping and sliding. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal.
- If you car loses traction and begins to slide, steer in the direction you want to go. Anticipate a second skid in the opposite direction as the car straightens out.
- Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These are all candidates for developing black ice — a thin coating of clear ice that can form on the pavement surface that may be difficult to see.
- Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Don’t take chances when pulling out in front of approaching vehicles. Remember, they may not be able to slow down and you may not be able to accelerate as quickly as on dry pavement.
- Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions. You need to be in control of when your vehicle accelerates based on road conditions — don’t let the cruise control make a bad decision for you.
Finally, buckle up, stay attentive and don’t crowd the plow. #WinterWeatherSafety
