November 21, 2008 - - In response to rapidly rising costs and limited resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and its contract agencies are modifying winter maintenance operations on many state highways. This means that some state trunklines (US and M routes) may take longer to be cleared to bare pavement following a snowstorm.
This winter, state highways throughout Michigan will be designated either Priority Service Level I (Orange Routes) or II (Blue Routes). During snow events, there will be no change in winter maintenance operations.
On orange routes, maintenance crews will work to clear the entire pavement of ice and snow both during and after a snow event, using overtime if necessary. The orange routes are MDOT-identified "corridors of significance" based on economic and travel trends.
On blue routes, maintenance crews will work to clear most snow and ice from roads. At a minimum, roads will be cleared for one wheel-track in each direction, by the conclusion of a snow event. The remainder of the snow and ice on blue routes will be cleared as soon as possible after the snow event without working overtime.
"During snowstorms, MDOT and our contract agencies will have all available staff and equipment working around-the-clock to clear snow and ice from all state highways and make them safe," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "While it's snowing, motorists should notice no difference from the way we have always handled winter operations."
While blue routes may be passable, they will not necessarily be completely clear until after snow has stopped accumulating. Consequently, motorists will have to follow Michigan's Basic Speed Law, which requires them to drive at a "careful and prudent" speed in all driving conditions in order to be able to stop within the clear distance ahead. This may mean driving slower than the posted speed limit.
"Our budgets continue to tighten, with rising costs and limited revenues, forcing us to change the way we handle maintenance operations," Steudle said. "We are working with our partners, the county road commissions and municipal public works departments, to be as efficient as possible with the funds we're entrusted with. Reducing overtime for cleanup operations on some highways is one way to do that."
Revisions to maintenance activities are a reflection of Michigan's transportation funding crisis, which is the result of falling state fuel tax revenues and vehicle registration fees, reduced purchasing power due to inflation, and rising construction and materials (such as salt) costs.
To view routes by region, click here: Map
MDOT also wants to correct the misconception that more salt is the cure for slippery roads in all cases.
MDOT considers normal winter conditions to be temperatures above 20 degrees, with light to moderate winds and snowfall amounts from one to five inches in a 24-hour period. During normal conditions, MDOT and its contract agencies can generally keep roads free of ice and snow. However, the pavement will still be wet.
When temperatures fall to 10 to 20 degrees, the action of the salt (which lowers the freezing temperature of water) takes longer to work and refreezes at a much faster rate. When temperatures fall below zero to 10 degrees, the melting, dilution of the salt, and the refreezing process accelerates even more. This causes the potential for a more dangerous condition than what previously existed. Continued application of salt at these very low temperatures will actually cause more problems than it solves. In addition, when wind speeds exceed 15 to 25 mph, the snow that would normally blow across a dry road will adhere to the wet pavement, also speeding the dilution of the salt and creating a packed-ice type condition with traffic driving over it.
"During extended winter storms, MDOT receives numerous calls requesting that more salt be applied to our highways," said Steudle. "But this is not always the best solution to the problem. While we understand the desire to have traffic moving at posted speeds whenever possible, the severity of Michigan winter storms sometimes does not allow that to happen. Motorists need to slow their speeds accordingly and drive with caution."
MDOT encourages drivers to adopt the following winter driving tips:
- Be cautious of bridges that can be icy when the approaching pavement is clear and dry.
- Always wear your safety belt and be sure children are buckled up.
- Slow down when visibility is low or when road conditions are snowy or icy.
- Accelerate and brake slowly and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
- Do not pump anti-lock brakes.
- Keep at least a car length of distance between your vehicle and others.
- Snowplow drivers need all the help they can get when it comes to maneuvering their large trucks through traffic and along the roadways. Remember to do your part and "Don't Crowd the Plow".
MDOT says: Remember - in Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!
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