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Illinois Department of Transportation prepares for winter 2021-2022

Barns are loaded with salt and plows are on the trucks, but IDOT hopes for more drivers behind the wheel for them.

GODFREY, Ill — Thanks to a cold start to November, the Illinois Department of Transportation drivers got some practice icing runs.

IDOT District 8 Operations Engineer, Joseph Monroe, caught up with 5 On Your Side at the Godfrey yard. In winter, Monroe says the yard is a popular stop for drivers making their routes between Jerseyville and Wood River. 

"They can load up in the main yards and then the auxiliary barn behind us has salt, has all the chemicals we would need," he says.

Speaking of salt, IDOT is super prepared this year. Monroe says thanks to the Rebuild Illinois program, his department was able to fill their salt barns over the summer. 

No salt has gone out yet, but due to the frosty mornings in early November, Monroe's drivers had to hit the roads with brine. "We have actually already started our winter prep. We've stretched out some of the trucks, we've put on the spinners, the spreaders, and a few plows just in case," adds Monroe.

Like most industries, the Illinois Department of Transportation is looking to hire employees. Monroe says they have enough drivers to cover snow days but need more to keep to a tight schedule. 

Monroe says, "We obviously could use more. We face the same challenges as everyone else."

RELATED: Light snow, flurries, and graupel seen in St. Louis area early Friday evening, but don't freak out

 

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