JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — MoDOT is preparing for winter weather with a statewide drill on Thursday.
In a press release, MoDOT said the Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a "Hibernation Zone” across the Midwest this snow season amid driver shortage.
With high turnover rates and many positions still open, driver training is more critical than ever, the release stated.
“We’re facing a critical shortage of qualified plow operators as we go into the winter season,” Becky Allmeroth, MoDOT chief safety and operations officer, said. “This drill gives MoDOT the opportunity to train our new snowplow operators on their designated routes so they are aware of curbs and raised islands that might be hidden when the snow or ice starts to fall.”
Despite the department’s best efforts, it has not made progress filling the winter operations vacancies, according to the press release.
“With years of high turnover, we are nearly 30% below the staffing we need in order to cover more than one shift in a statewide storm,” Patrick McKenna, MoDOT director, said. “If a widespread winter storm lasts more than one 12-hour shift, we will not have enough employees to fill all the trucks on the second shift and therefore it will take longer to clear the roads. Delays could be significant and will impact all regions of the state.”
During the drill, motorists will notice increased numbers of MoDOT trucks on state routes and more:
In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m.
In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m.
The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.
MoDOT crews will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state, according to the press release.
The department’s emergency operations centers will be activated, and maintenance workers will be deployed to their trucks.
“Safety is the cornerstone of everything we do at MoDOT,” Allmeroth said. “The drill ensures that proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used by every MoDOT employee.” In addition, every piece of equipment—every truck, motor grader, snow blower and tractor—is inspected and calibrated to conserve materials and operate efficiently and safely, she said.
For the most up-to-date information on road conditions in any winter storm, drivers are urged to use the Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org.
The department will hold its annual statewide winter operations drill on Thursday, Oct. 20.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
