DuPage County Preparing For Winter

Transportation staff in DuPage County are getting ready for winter and inclement weather.

“While motorists only see our plow trucks out during a snow storm, our transportation team is hard at work behind the scenes preparing for winter weather,” said Don Puchalski, chairman of the county’s Transportation Committee. “Their preparation, hard work and dedication are what help make our roads safe for traveling.”

The county has 40 plow trucks equipped with salt spreaders that utilize salt and a liquid super mix (which is a sugar beet based product) to treat roads before, during and after a snow storm. Crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Division of Transportation is responsible for snow and ice removal on all county highways, such as Warrenville Road, Army Trail Road, Naperville Road, Thorndale Avenue, 75th Street and County Farm Road.

“While traveling on hazardous roads, the best defense is to be aware of the road conditions and be cautious of other drivers,” said Puchalski.

During the snow and ice season motorists should:

• Adjust their driving to better handle hazardous driving conditions.
• Be safe and courteous – exercise safe driving techniques.
• Give plow trucks the right of way – stay back at a safe distance, never pass a plow truck on the right. Plow trucks have blind spots and must move in and out of turning lanes while clearing snow.
• Residents should not shovel snow onto the highway, and when a plow truck is approaching, move away from the edge of the roadway. Aside from slush and snow, road debris can be thrown by the plow.
• The DuPage County highway system consists of 950 lane miles and 200 miles of paved shoulders. All plow drivers are required to maintain a current commercial drivers license (CDL).

The above is a media announcement from the DuPage County Division of Transportation.