Prepping roads for more winter weather

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After a weekend of salting roads, Springfield Public Works is ready to get busy again as more winter weather is expected to hit the Ozarks later this week. Public Works has 32 plow trucks in its fleet, which were all used this Sunday to treat the roadways.

Superintendent of Streets Colton Harris says crews were well prepared for the winter weather.

"We started treatment at about 4 p.m. on Sunday and we ended up this afternoon," says Harris.

Public Works monitors weather conditions weeks in advance, but their response is decided the day before.

"If it rains beforehand, that's going to affect whether or not we decide to pre-treat or just we just have to make a decision based on what the weather's really going to do," says Harris.

Another round of winter weather is supposed to hit the Ozarks later this weekend, this time with lower temperatures. Erica Williamson was out driving Monday; she tells Ozarksfirst she didn't notice many problems this weekend but is prepared for the future.

"They've done good. All the roads, like main roads and stuff, have all been really good, it seems," says Williamson. "So, I'd say if there's anything to worry about, maybe overpass bridges or anything. But other than that, I think it'll be good," says Williamson.

Even after a weekend at work, Harris says his crews are ready to go another round.

"We don't know how long the winter is going to be or how bad every event is. And so, we take that into consideration for the long haul," Harris says. "But we will be prepared and we will have our employees and our Public Works department ready to respond to the events that come."

Harris also explained if you are driving while the salt trucks are out it is important to remember they are driving in the same conditions as you and to give them space.