O-DOT prepares for ‘Old Man Winter’

The Ohio Department of Transportation is getting ready for the next blast from ‘Old Man Winter.’

With a change of freezing rain coming in overnight O-DOT is ready to send crews back out on the road to make sure they are passable for drivers. O-DOT’s Muskingum County Manager, Phil Valentine, said they are monitoring the possibility of an ice storm coming through.

“Something like this, we’ll monitor and see how it’s progressing in,” Valentine said. “If it’s something that’s going to require a treatment or two we’ll have a lighter crew in, try to be as appropriate on staff as we can, try not to waste state money.”

Many departments across the state had troubles last year as they ran low or out of salt towards the end of the season. But that’s not the case with Muskingum County this year.

“We were a lot more prepared this year in case this turned into a year like last year,” Valentine said. “To put things in perspective, we usually measure events by when we use 50 tons or more per event and this year we’ve only had about 16 events. We average about 28 events a year. Last year was 37 events.”

Valentine said even if the looming storm turns to rain, drivers should be cautious of dropping temperatures because a cold, wet road can be covered in black ice.