Dec. 8, 2003
For more information contact:
Dennis Burkheimer
515-239-1355 or 515-290-2713
dennis.burkheimer@dot.state.ia.us
DOT
ready to battle winter storm
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of
Transportation is geared up and ready to roll if the winter storm predicted for
tonight and tomorrow materializes.
Dennis Burkheimer, DOT winter operations
administrator, says the current forecast is calling for rain beginning late
tonight, turning to snow Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday with winds of up
to 30 miles per hour. “The DOT will be continuously monitoring road conditions
and forecasts, especially pavement temperatures, and will be working to keep ice
from forming under the snow,” said Burkheimer, “But because this storm is
expected to begin with rain changing to ice and then snow, motorists should be
especially cautious. With four to eight inches of snow and high winds predicted
after the rain and ice, we expect this storm will affect travel.”
Burkheimer says the DOT’s maintenance
facilities are ready for the challenge. The DOT’s 110 maintenance garages
employ approximately 1,200 equipment operators, mechanics and supervisors to
keep the agency’s 879 trucks on the road during a winter weather event.
“There are 808 snow routes on the
state’s highway system,” he explained. “We’re prepared with 163,000 tons
of salt and more than 1 million gallons of salt brine to help maintain safe
travel on 9,409 miles of roadway.”
Since this appears to be a statewide
winter event, the DOT is urging motorists to plan ahead for travel during winter
weather. Postpone your trip if it is not absolutely necessary to travel. If you
must travel, check the weather on television or radio, or on the Internet at the
DOT’s weather Web site, www.dotweatherview.com.
To find current road conditions, log on
to 511ia.org or iowaroadconditions.org for the latest road conditions. Once
you’re on your way, you can call 511 to check conditions on your route.
Burkheimer also cautions motorists to
buckle up, turn on
headlights, stop the use of cruise control, and reduce speeds.
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