Major Snowstorms Make for Massive Cleanups

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – In the aftermath of last weekend’s snow event, the Ohio Department of Transportation is planning ahead for the next round of plowing and treating the roadways

ODOT District 5 Public Information Officer Chas Cosgrave recounted the scope of operation that went into keeping area roadways passable last weekend. 

“So we had folks working 12-hour shifts, 24/7, around the clock beginning Saturday, through Wednesday,” Cosgrave said. “We were really fortunate, you know, that we had a lot of heads-up for this event and the level three also helped us out as well, by keeping the traffic off the road, allowing us to focus on getting those routes opened up and not not responding to incidents. We had over 20 crews here in Muskingum. We used just over 800 tons of salt and 31,000 gallons of liquid material.”

Cosgrave noted that the snow event remains ongoing as ODOT is still tending to drifting snow, black ice and scraping roadway edges wider in anticipation of the next snow event. 

“Obviously with this event, we used a lot of material but we do still have plenty on hand here in district 5 and statewide, Cosgrave said. “We’re ready to respond to whatever mother nature decides to throw at us next.”

Cosgrave added that more than 10 plow trucks have been struck since last Friday and he asks the public to please be patient around them and give them a little extra room to do their jobs.