NDOT is prepared for winter

You can be prepared, too, with a little planning and care.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – There may be a little time before snow covers all of Nebraska’s roads, but the Nebraska Department of Transportation is already prepared.

“Our winter season starts in the middle of October”, says NDOT spokesperson Jeni Campana. “That season lasts until mid-April, sometimes late-April.”

Indeed, she points out that there have already been some winter events that have called for the plows this year. Once the season begins in earnest, there are some ten thousand miles of roadway covered by a fleet of around 600 units. Naturally, they start with the big projects first.

“Our primary focus is usually on the interstate and our major corridors”, says Campana. “Our expressway systems, where we have a lot of traffic.”

Those roads may be the priority, but you’re not likely to be forgotten, even if you do live a bit off the beaten path.

Campana says, “The two-lane roads that a lot of rural Nebraska uses… we’re still out there plowing those roads, too.”

You can check their progress in real time, using the Nebraska Plow Tracker, which generally shows plows spread throughout the affected areas. You can also use the picture fed back by the plows to gauge the amount of snowfall.

If you decide to go out, there is some etiquette to keep in mind. For starters, give plows space. They could be dropping sand, salt, or gravel in front of you. You also want to avoid passing them on the right.

“A lot of times, especially on the state system, we have what’s called a ‘wing’ that helps push that snow off of the system”, explains Campana. “You don’t want to pass over there because there’s an apparatus over there that you might run into.”

Above all else, be smart and safe. Even a dusting can make roads difficult to navigate, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.