DPW, WisDOT prepares for first accumulating snow fall
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee says it is more than ready for the first snowfall of the season Friday.
“As we do every year, we will get through the winter,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.
The first snowfall of the season always brings with it some challenges.
“People forget,” Mayor Barrett said. “They forget it’s important to slow down, they forget to be more careful.”
Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works says they had five tanker trucks out Thursday applying salt, and they are ready for the entire winter season with 103 salt trucks, and new this year additional anti-icing trucks for residential roads.
“The trucks have been inspected, maintained, all set up and calibrated and ready for winter operations,” Laura Daniels, Milwaukee DPW Director of Operations, said.
WisDOT has also been preparing for the last few months.
“We’re taking all the experience we have from years gone by,” Michael Pyritz, WisDOT’s Regional Communication Manager, said. “We’ve got crews ready to go, plans are in place and we’re ready to hit it.”
In addition to slowing down, and planning ahead, Mayor Barrett is also reminding people to pay attention to where you park.
“We’re not playing ‘gotcha,’ but we have to make sure people follow the parking regulations so that our equipment can get through, emergency personnel can get through,” Mayor Barrett said.
See below for a list of winter-weather resources:
Milwaukee Parking Regulations: https://city.milwaukee.gov/winterparkingregulations#.W-SfYtVKjIU
Road Conditions Map: https://511wi.gov/
Winter driving tips: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/winter-drv/default.aspx
Ready Wisconsin suggests carrying a Winter Emergency kit in the back seat of your vehicle (in case your trunk jams or is frozen shut). The kit should include:
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra hats, socks, and mittens
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Shovel, booster cables, and windshield scraper
- Water and high-calorie nonperishable food (raisins, candy bars, energy/protein bars)
- Sand or cat litter to use for traction
- Cell phone adapter