Layoffs throw a wrench in the mix
MARQUETTE -- It's been a light winter so far, but many of our Facebook viewers have reported dangerous, slushy conditions on the roadways.
While you might assume the road commissions have had it pretty easy this year due to the lack of snowfall, that's not necessarily true. The weather has thrown a wrench into the mix for tried-and-true snow removal operations.
Alger county has received just about 28 inches of snow this year; that's down from last year's 77 inches at this time. The Alger County Road Commission manages nearly 500 miles of county roads and 110 miles of state highway.
The lack of snow has forced them to layoff their temporary employees. They're currently down to 16 full-time drivers and six temporary employees that have come in just a few times this season. Crews will head out whenever snow is sticking to the roads. They'll plow the state highways, then primary roads and finally local roads. Because of the smaller staff, the entire process can take two to three days.
"When we get a one day or two day storm, we're just not up on every route," says Bob Lindbeck. "In our monetary situation, it's not worth bringing people in just to clear three inches, when we can get it finished the next day."
The service is struggling through budget cuts, increasing costs of equipment, fuel and road salt.
Facebook viewer Jessica Miilu writes:
"Plows should be out on days like today when the snow is going to be melting and causing a lot of slush on the roads." That's exactly what the Alger County Road Commission was doing Friday, but they say they can't lay salt everyday, simply because the price has risen ten percent just in the last year.
The eyes of Michigan State Troopers are always on the winter roads. They report information to update a state road conditions website and phone line three times a day.
They say its important for the public to depend on these resources, rather than call the state police directly as it ties up phone lines.
Click here to see the road information, or call 1-800-381-8477.
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