Road crews battle weather, economy

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Call it Hamburger Helper for roads. Road commissions are making salt go further by mixing it with sand.

"It gives more traction, provides a little color so drivers in some ways feel a little more comfortable that we're out there," said Jon Rice, Managing Director of the Kent County Road Commission.

And some have added extra gear to trucks to make fewer passes and save gas. like the wing blades on Ionia County's newest rig.

"We're all set for winter," director Dorothy Pohl told 24 Hour News 8. "We've got a shed full of salt and we're ready to go."

24 Hour News 8 checked with several West Michigan counties, from metropolitan areas, like Kent, to rural areas, like Ionia. Despite the economy, none of the agencies said they are cutting personnel this season.

In Allegan, last year's policy of not hitting some local roads on overtime unless there's at least four inches on snow on them continues. 

For the most part, when the big storm hits, they'll be in the middle of it.

The biggest change involves the roads the state pays counties to salt and plow.

Major expressways and trunk lines, like I-96, I-196 and M-6 will still get the same treatment. They'll be cleared lane to lane, shoulder to shoulder.

But MDOT has a new policy they hope will cut down on overtime they pay to counties for clearing state roads.

The secondary roadways highlighted, like M-21, M-37 and M-66, will get the same treatment during a storm. But in overtime situations, once the storm is over, crews will plow enough to keep one lane open in each direction. 

"So there will be some snow on the rest of the road. They'll be snow possibly on the shoulder." said Kent County's Rice.
 
The rest of the road will be cleared on straight time. 

Ionia County's road chief Pohl said the roads will be safe, if motorists do their part.

"Definitely. Definitely. People need to slow down. They need to pay attention."

From MDOT:

A map of the Grand Region Winter Level of Service for 2008-2009

A map of the Southwest Region Winter Level of Service for 2008-2009