Snow headed for St. Louis again, MoDOT asking motorists to minimize travel

St. Louis Public Radio

Published Jan. 10, 2011 at 1:41 p.m. CST

Many MoDOT employees are trained to operate complicated machines and vehicles. — Snow plows stand at the ready for the Missouri Department of Transportation. The National Weather Service is predicting another snowfall of 3-6 inches for the St. Louis area beginning this afternoon. (Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio)

Don't put your boots or ice scraper away, snow is coming again to St. Louis -- and soon.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has prepared area roadways for the 3 to 6 inches of snow that is forecasted for the St. Louis metropolitan area.

MoDOT crews began treating roads last night with a salt brine mix. Bruce Pettus, maintenance superintendent for MoDOT, says as the snow begins to fall, conditions will begin to deteriorate during rush hour traffic, making it difficult for crews to clear the roads.

"That's why we're asking the motorists to minimize travel, maybe leave a little early from work. And make that commute before we get accumulating snow. And then this evening, do the same thing, minimize travel. We're gonna have all of our forces on the road, but it'll just allow us more space to work."

Pettus says MoDOT will have over 200 trucks on the road once the snow begins to accumulate.

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