LITTLE ROCK, AR – Reattaching sharpened blades, reloading salt and refueling to get on the go are all just part of a day on winter weather patrol at the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
And for the past year, the department has been prepping.
“We have not stopped thinking about winter weather since then,” said Danny Straessle, spokesperson for the department.
Last winter, Mother Nature dealt a difficult blow. Drivers were stranded on major highways, and an infamous picture showed the difference in response from our neighbors to the north.
So, AHTD has made some changes, including a fleet of 13 belly plows, with a force of six trucks for hard hit areas
“Our strike force they are able to be dispatched anywhere in the state that’s needed,” Straessle said.
Five of those belly plows are in Northwest Arkansas, five of the six strike force trucks are in Osceola to address I-55 and I-40. Two belly plows, including the sixth strike force member, are in Central Arkansas. And one is based in Paragould.
“We thought I-55 was pretty much going to be ground zero we sent those assets up there it’s performed quite well,” Straessle said.
The new trucks were brought in as a phase out of an aging fleet. To the tune of roughly $2.3 million dollars. The belly plow trucks cost roughly $175,000. But according to Straessle, saving money by trying to use equipment for as long as possible, ended up costing the state.
“We had obtained some cost efficiencies by extending life of equipment,” said Straessle. “Our truck average age was between 20-25 years old. When it came to that winter last year those [cost] efficiencies became deficiencies.”
Another $1.5 million has been devoted to straight salt purchases since October. It replaces a brine mixture that came with mixed results. In some cases, the salt is combined with beet juice, to help lower freezing temps for road surfaces and allow the salt to actually stick when distributed, instead of bounce off the roadways.
“We are refilling those supplies that we use today,” Straessle said. “We’ll continue to build storage facilities. We can keep salt indefinitely as long as we’re able o keep it dry.”
AHTD also consulted with neighboring states, primarily Missouri, to adopt best practices for winter weather storms. The department has modified application times for sand and salt, added the new equipment and modified treatment regiments.
One thing the department cannot control is traffic flow, an issue even with the new equipment.
“There are some areas where tractor trailers are traveling heavily,” Straessle said. “The plows come through and break up the ice, but it can turn to slush. Then the tractor trailer traffic can pack that. It requires more treatment and can be difficult.”
According to Straessle, crews are working in 12-hour shifts and will continue to work the roads until the paths are clear. But they believe the results in this winter storm are already showing the state that it’s getting a bang for the bucks.
“You may only use these plows three or four times a year, but you want to make sure you have them,” Straessle said. “These trucks can also be used year-round for asphalt hauling and other projects. It’s a good investment.”
The five belly plows that were part of the strike force near Osceola are now working their way back toward Little Rock, Straessle said. They’ll be addressing areas of I-55 and I-40 that could become problematic overnight with refreezing.
An additional 21 belly plow trucks have been ordered. Those should be delivered by summer to have a fully-equipped fleet by next winter.