Winter Operations Update
-80 ODOT crews remain on the highways within the eight-county area of ODOT District 1.
-North/south roads are the most affected by blowing and drifting snow. Crews will remain out through the night plowing to keep roads passable.
-Extreme temperatures are beginning to affect the air systems of the fleet and mechanics are working to restore trucks to service.
-Because of truck availability, crews in some areas of the district are currently focusing efforts on priority travel routes.
-Dangerous wind chills of -20 to -40 are expected overnight with wind gusts of 30 to 35 miles per hour. Temperatures and wind chills are expected to improve on Wednesday afternoon.
-Additional precautions are being taken with equipment. In addition to winter blend diesel fuel, fuel conditioner is being added to the fleet’s gas tanks to reduce the chance of the fuel gelling which can occur in extremely cold temperatures.
-Operators are being instructed to keep salt spinners operating at medium speed to keep hydraulics warm. This event is a plowing operation only at the moment due to blowing and drifting which continues to occur and due to the extreme temperatures which negates the effect of salt and other material.
-Highways throughout the district will remain extremely icy through Wednesday. Local county sheriff’s departments have issued snow level advisories. Motorists should check with local departments on the status of travel in their county.
