Winter snow preparations completed by NDOT

As winter approaches northern Nevada, the Nevada Department of Transportation has completed annual winter preparations to help keep roads clear through the upcoming season.

“Roadway safety and mobility are our top priorities,” NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon explained. “Last winter, NDOT crews dedicated more than 22,000 hours to removing snow and ice from state roads in the Truckee Meadows. We’ll be out there again throughout this winter to clear roads of ice and snow.”

Quick Facts:

- NDOT has 153 maintenance staff in Northern Nevada with 11 temporary winter personnel and 15 temporary jobs still open.

- There are over 80 snow plows and other pieces of snow and ice equipment.

- 32,000 thousand cubic yards of salt and sand has been stockpiled for use on roads. The sand is combined with salt and wetted with brine to create more dense sand that keeps roads ice-free at lower temperatures and will not as easily bounce off roadway surfaces.

- They utilize more than 30 Road Weather Information System meteorological stations located along northwestern Nevada roadways to provide detailed reports of current air and pavement temperature, as well as any moisture.

- During major winter storms, crews work in 12 hour shifts, rotating personnel to provide 24 hour-a-day snow removal.

On average, more than 2,000 crashes occur statewide every year due to unsafe driving in snow, ice and other wet conditions, such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or failing to maintain a lane and overcorrecting. In winter weather, motorists are reminded to drive slowly for conditions and leave space between their vehicle and others. Wearing a seat belt and focusing on the road are other important driving tips for any type of weather.

NDOT is ready for bad weather, are you?