Following a very unusual fall season with little precipitation and higher than normal temperatures, the weather is finally beginning to change to more seasonable conditions and the official start of the 2016-17 winter season–on the calendar–is now just a week away.

Winter brings not only colder temperatures but also the constant threat of snow, sleet, and winter storms that affects almost every resident and business. Adverse conditions hit and one’s ability to travel is limited.

For these reasons, the Clinton County Road Department employees, with the aid of a plentiful salt supply, adequate vehicles and equipment–including two new trucks–and a department 10 men strong, are gearing up to be on the job whenever winter weather strikes.

The Clinton County Judge/Executive’s office reported on Monday that the county has 100 tons of road salt on hand, with another 44 ton on order and expected to arrive within the next week. Further, they have a contract at a set purchase price for up to 300 tons if needed, meaning they would still have over 250 tons available if there is another strong winter similar to last year.

Officials said the county used about 300 ton last year due to the 2015-16 winter season being one of the worst in several years.

Although the county has a contract price for 300 ton, they could always purchase additional salt–if necessary–later, but probably at a higher price if emergency conditions prevailed.

The county is also in good shape as far as trucks and equipment, including the recent purchases of two smaller vehicles that includes an eight-foot plow, slider dump, and slide-in salter. These vehicles enable the county road crew to be able to clear snow and ice from more narrow county roadways, i.e. Hillbilly Hill, Mountain View and other terrain with roadways almost too narrow for the standard larger size truck to maneuver through.

There are eight total trucks available to be put to work in winter weather and with the addition of the new, smaller size vehicles, three-quarter ton, one being a recently purchased 2017 model and plentiful supply of salt on hand and available, Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong says the county was, “in better shape than we’ve ever been” in being able to keep crews on county roads during adverse weather.

During a winter snow event, crews are split up clearing roads in each magisterial district and further have a priority plan in which roads with heavier traffic in the county are cleared first with secondary roads worked on as soon as possible. Also, in emergencies, such as when emergency personnel such as ambulances, police, fire department, etc. have to be at a location, those roads would also take priority of being cleared.

Hopefully the upcoming winter season will not be near as harsh as last year, but if it is, the county road department is equipped and ready to work on clearing county roads day and night throughout the winter months.

District 8 crews ready for snow and ice season!

In addition to the local crew being prepared for certain inclement winter weather, the District 8 office of the Kentucky Department of Transportation has also announced that it’s facilities and equipment are ready for winter conditions and keeping the roads as passable as possible.

With more than 22,000 tons of salt on hand, combined with more than 80 snow plows, salt spreaders and other equipment ready in Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne counties, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 8 crews are ready for winter weather duty.

Since October, district crews have been inspecting snow plows, calibrating salt-spreading equipment and developing snowstorm response procedures to keep District 8 state roads passable during inclement weather.

“We take snow and ice response very seriously,” Chief District Engineer Tamra Wilson said. “Highway safety is an essential function of the Transportation Cabinet, and our crews are prepared to meet that mandate by keeping our roads safe during bad weather.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) mission is to keep traffic moving in a safe manner with an emphasis on maintaining mobility along critical corridors and priority routes. When bad weather hits, crews are assigned 12-hour shifts to plow and treat roads using a priority system based on the amount and nature of traffic within each individual county. Priority A routes include major through routes and are those most heavily traveled. Priority B routes include other important, but lesser traveled, state routes. Other roads fall into Priority C.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has developed a new webpage for all snow and ice information. The public can visit http://snowky.ky.gov to learn more about priority routes, access helpful winter weather tips and fact sheets and view informational videos on salt application and snow removal.

“The Transportation Cabinet recognizes how important roadway conditions are to Kentucky motorists, especially during winter storms,” Wilson said. “Our highway crews often spend long hours away from home to keep roadways clear and safe for the traveling public. We appreciate their service.”

Throughout snow season, which runs from November to April, highway response teams across Kentucky serve weekly on-call rotations. The teams monitor weather reports when snow is in the forecast and determine when to activate the state’s arsenal of snow-fighting equipment, including more than 1,000 snow plows.

Be prepared:

The following measures will help keep motorists safe and prepared:

* Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute on some level

* Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road

* Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment

* Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder

* Allow time for a slower commute

* Winterize vehicles

* Supply vehicles with blankets, flash light and an emergency supply kit

* Know before you go. Visit goky.ky.gov and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel. You can also get traffic information for the District 8 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8<http://www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8> or by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8<http://www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8>.

* Eliminate distractions (e.g. using phone and eating) while driving

* Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles to the shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash