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SALT LAKE CITY -- Unless we get a big surprise tonight, this month will go in the record books as the driest December ever in Utah. Compare that to 2010, nearly one of the snowiest years ever. For people who plow Utah roads, it makes a big difference.
A year ago, storm after storm rolled right through Utah and threatened to break the bank on snow removal budgets. This year, the flakes are few and far between. Last December, as the new year approached, we already had plenty of powder and state plow drivers were in the midst of a long haul.
"Last year, we were already veteran plowers," said Jake Brown, UDOT Maintenance Supervisor.
UDOT is ready for another snowy year, preparing stockpiles of salt throughout the state for the roads. Last year, a pile like the nearly 50-foot one at UDOT's Maintenance Yard in West Valley had already been through once and ordered a second.
By this time last year, UDOT had already spent $11.2 million on snow removal statewide. This year: $5.6 million out of $20 million allotted for the season. Last year, our cities and counties were storming through their budgets, too. By the end of November 2010, West Jordan had already spent 75 percent of its snow budget. This year the city has only spent 10 percent, and that includes the price of their salt, and other start-up costs.
Today, these trucks handled shoulder work and cleared storm drains.
"It gives us a chance to get caught up and change the oil and do the services, and make sure out equipment is in tip top shape, so we can respond to the storms," said Jake Brown, UDOT Maintenance Supervisor.
Even when the forecast calls for a skiff of snow, or fog that creates ice crystals on the roads, they have to run their routes in the mountains to keep the roads clear.
"It's not like we sit around and polish the snowplow and wait for the snowflakes to hit the road," Brown said. "We're hard after it."
Email:jboal@ksl.com
