News Release for November 7, 2019

For more Information:
Paul Merrill, Public Information Officer - 207-624-3355 or 207-215-9297

MaineDOT Is Ready for Winter Weather

AUGUSTA - Maine Department of Transportation workers are ready to respond to what we expect will be the first winter weather event of the season Thursday night and Friday morning.

"Our plow trucks are ready, our salt sheds are full, and our snow fighters are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way," said MaineDOT Highway Maintenance Engineer Brian Burne.

MaineDOT is responsible for plowing 8,300 lane miles of road. We have about 400 plow trucks staffed by nearly 800 Transportation Workers at 100 maintenance locations statewide. Last winter, these snow fighters plowed roughly 2.3 million miles of road: that's the equivalent of 92 trips around the earth at the equator. Our five-year average amount of rock salt used annually is 142,000 tons.

Last year was our most expensive year ever for snow and ice control. We spent approximately $46 million. Several icing events and storms that required overtime pay (because they occurred on nights and weekends) contributed to this high total.

"Keeping Maine roads and bridges safe during winter storms is a year-round job for us," said Burne. "While people are enjoying their summer vacations, we are filling salt sheds, training personnel, ordering plow blades, and preparing our equipment to ensure that we can efficiently maintain safety and mobility on Maine roads during winter weather events."

As always, we ask that drivers exercise caution on the roads, maintain safe speeds, and stay at least four car lengths back from our snowplows.

Please contact Public Information Officer Paul Merrill to arrange for interviews today or tomorrow. We may be able to make crews available at our regional offices as well.

Stay safe!

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