CDOT Readies Crews, Equipment for Snow Season
Governor John Hickenlooper, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, has designated the final week of October as "Winter Weather Awareness Week." And the Colorado Department of Transportation is ready.
New equipment introduced last year is helping to alleviate the burden of maintaining primary access roads and highways, including the tow-plow trailer which follows behind a traditional plow allowing for a single CDOT driver to plow multiple lanes simultaneously. Another plow follows the rig to clean up any snow left on the road or shoulder.
Though the new plow will undoubtedly be of benefit for CDOT, there are limitations to the equipment that motorists should be made aware of. The unit can only travel at a maximum 35 m.p.h., and because of its' size and structure it takes up both lanes. The vehicles outfitted with tow plow trailers will also have flashing lights to alert drivers of its presence. CDOT has also asked that drivers maintain a healthy distance between their cars and CDOT plowing vehicles, as areas near or next to the large vehicles can be dangerous.
The tow plow wont be the only weapon CDOT has to combat difficult winter driving conditions. Liquid and solid de-icers, as well as a sand/ice slicer mixture will all be used on Colorado roads this winter.
In 2011, CDOT dispensed approximately 45,000 gallons of liquid de-icer and around 1,300 tons of ice slicer and sand/ice slicer mixture.
Drivers are strongly encouraged to consult cotrip.org before undertaking long winter voyages by car. Road conditions are available to the public 24 hours a day, all 365 days a year.
Additionally, motorists can sign up for text and email alerts at coloradodot.info by clicking the green cell phone image in the upper right hand corner of the site.
If you are injured in a weather related car accident, or any car accident in the Denver area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!
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