ODOT deploys 1,600 plow trucks & 3,000 drivers to clear roads

COLUMBUS – Around 1,600 snow plow trucks and 3,000 drivers are ready to do battle with Mother Nature in Ohio this weekend. A major winter storm is threatening to drop nearly snow, ice, and rain on the state.

“The men and women of ODOT are the standard of excellence when it comes to dealing with winter weather on our roads,” said Director Jack Marchbanks. “They’ll be working hard to keep roads passable during the storm, however, high winds will bring the additional challenge of blowing and drifting conditions even after the storm moves out.

“If you are traveling this weekend, give yourself extra time to safely reach your destination.”

Snow plow crews and nearly 300 mechanics will be working 12-hour shifts to fight snow and ice on state and U.S. routes outside of municipalities and Ohio’s interstates.

Plows travel slower than the speed limit to allow our crews to remove snow and drop ice-melting material on the roadway. Leave extra distance between plows and your vehicle and try to avoid passing plows. ODOT plows were struck 64 times last winter.

“Please help keep our crews safe as they work to keep you safe. If you don’t have to travel, stay home. If you are on the road, please give our crews plenty of room to work,” said Marchbanks.

With 553,000 tons of salt on hand, ODOT has plenty of salt to deal with the storm. Plummeting temperatures will reduce the effectiveness of salt, forcing crews to mix in additives that are more effective at extremely low temperatures.

You can find live travel conditions, more than 600 traffic cameras, and traffic alerts online at OHGO.com or with the OHGO app. You can also get statewide updates via Twitter and Facebook. Be sure to follow our 12 ODOT districts on Twitter and Facebook for more localized information.

Most if not all sporting events in north central Ohio are postponed for Saturday.

In addition, Richland Source has received these notices:

— All locations of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library closed at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19. The status for Sunday will be updated later today or early Sunday morning.

— St. Mary’s Sunday Parish Religious Education class is also canceled.

— Live theater performances tonight at the Renaissance Theatre and the Mansfield Playhouse have been cancelled.

— Shelby Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Joe’s, of Crestline will not have any Masses on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019.