ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – With weather conditions like the U.P. is experiencing this week, it can be helpful for drivers to know when and where local crews will be clearing snow off of the roads.
The Delta County Road Commission has a five-man overnight team that focuses on the highways—US-2, US-41, M-35, AND M-69. However, during major storms, only the necessary lanes can be cleared.
“In a big storm, they’re going to concentrate on one lane only on the four-lanes, just to keep one lane open,” explained Road Commission Managing Director Jody Norman. “To expect five guys to keep the entire highway system open, four lanes and all, is pretty much impossible.”
As crews have time, they then work on primary roads. On days with a manageable amount of snow, all other roads are treated. When snow falls and temperatures are warm, some roads are skipped to avoid causing damage.
“Because we haven’t had a lot of cold weather, the roads weren’t really froze up yet,” Norman said. “We like to get a little bit of a snow mat onto the roads before we start venturing on the seal coats and the gravels, especially. The public shouldn’t have a problem driving on one inch or two inches of snow.”
Thanks to the mild season so far, the Delta County Road Commission has been able to save a “fair amount” of money on salt. Norman says crews have also been able to get work done on other projects, including right of way clearing.
