MnDOT: Ready for Snow, Sleet

During the winter months, one of the most important jobs for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is keeping the 12,000 plus centerline miles (29,300 lane miles) of Minnesota, U.S. and Interstate highways clear of ice and snow.

Depending on the intensity and duration of the ice/snowfall conditions, MnDOT snowplow crews can be split into two shifts and be out working on the highways 24 hours during the day or night and on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.

MnDOT District 3 administers winter and summer maintenance activities for more than 2,000 centerline miles (4,000 lane miles) of the trunk highway/interstate system within all or parts of 15 counties in central Minnesota.

While every effort is made to stay on top of winter road conditions, maintaining over 4,000 lane miles of highway over a geographical area of 15 counties can be challenging at times. Especially when there can be very localized weather conditions, which is not unusual during the winter months.

Motorists can assist ice and snow control operations by using their cell phone to report any adverse road conditions they may encounter while driving on MnDOT highways. Try to be specific as to location -- particularly for high hazard areas such as hills, dips, curves, bridges and overpasses; so the crews can respond as quickly as possible, if they aren't already doing so.

MnDOT snowplow operators are skilled professionals committed to maintaining the state's highways in safe winter driving condition. They need the cooperation and support of the driving public in order to do their job effectively and safely for themselves as well as for motorists.

For more information, call 800/657-3971 or 800/657-3961.