Winter weather safety: PennDOT treats roads ahead snow storm Monday
PHILADELPHIA - As employees poured last-minute salt over their parking lot along Girard Avenue, drivers ran their last-minute errands and filled up their gas tanks before it became a hassle to do so.
"That’s why I’m doing all the errands today, tonight, so tomorrow I’m locked in," said Ray Rivera.
His son, Zay, already had a snow day announced with the School District of Philadelphia, so his winter break is extended.
"That’s why I’m doing all the runs today, tonight, so tomorrow I’m locked in," said Rivera.
PennDOT is asking people to stay off the roads if traveling is not necessary. They had crews treating, salting, and brining the roadways today, and have since Thursday.
Officials say they have crews coming back in at midnight to stay on through the storm, prioritizing interstates and expressways first.
"They’ll be working through the storm we have over 600 equipment operators and they will be working continually. Also we have over 250 road responders that are out there for any type of maintenance or road assistance that anyone needs during the storm," said Krys Johnson, Safey Press Officer with PennDOT District 6.
Since it's been awhile, PennDOT has been reminding people that their plows are larger and travel slowly.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- Philly travel: Amtrak cancellations, changes amid winter storm
- Philadelphia snow forecast: Winter storm warnings issued ahead of significant snowfall Monday
- Philly, NJ, DE winter storm warning: Snowfall hour by hour Monday
They can have snow spray as well as residual salt spray on the road, so make sure that you’re really mindful of that and don’t pass them. Stay at least six car lengths behind says Johnson.
Like many of us, Ashley Nieman, of South Jersey, feels a bit out of practice. She's hoping her three kids do not have school so they can have a proper snow day.
"The kids can sleep in, go build snowmen, and have a great time," she said.