T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART The trucks at the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Belmont County garage are ready to plow snow and treat icy roads after being inspected Wednesday to ensure they are prepared for winter.

BELMONT — Ohio Department of Transportation employees came together Wednesday to inspect its Belmont County trucks and ensure they are ready to tackle snow and ice this winter.

ODOT had its annual winter readiness event at its garage near Belmont. It featured information on how ODOT prepares for winter weather, and crew members inspected the fleet to ensure safety.

ODOT District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell said the employees were looking at everything from headlights to tail lights, windshield wiper blades and all the snow and ice removal equipment to make sure plows and salt spreaders are in working order.

“They’re just doing a thorough look at all of the trucks to make sure that we’re prepared for winter when it does come,” she said. “Although it’s September, it’s important for us to make sure these are ready to go. It’s Ohio. The weather is totally unpredictable, so we never know when Mother Nature is going to strike.”

ODOT takes care of 681 lane miles in Belmont County, including state, U.S. and interstate routes outside of cities and municipalities.

Borell said ODOT is stocked up on salt and received its salt deliveries throughout the summer, so when winter arrives the material is ready to go.

Plow truck drivers are placed in every county to perform snow and ice operations to make sure the roadways are safe for Ohioans.

“One thing that is super important that we always remind folks is ‘ice and snow, take it slow,'” Borell said. “That’s really important, especially on our interstates. We like to remind folks that when you’re traveling behind our trucks, they travel well below the speed limit, and the reason for that is so that their work is more effective.”

Borell emphasized how important it is to allow plenty of stopping distance between the ODOT truck and other drivers on the road.

ODOT has an app and website called OHGO where people can look at current weather conditions throughout the state of Ohio, including checking out traffic cameras, traffic speeds and other information.

“We have very hilly, curvy, windy areas, so we take it very seriously all the way from our rural routes to our interstate routes,” Borell said. “And it’s just really important for you to be prepared as a driver for those types of conditions.”

One of the biggest challenges ODOT faces is dealing with weather. Borell noted it has had events where crews have started out on roadways before the temperature dropped. THat has led to freezing rain, which is treacherous with heavy snow on top of it.

The traveling public is another challenge for ODOT drivers because they have a lot going on, including watching the road, controlling the material output and handling the heavy trucks.

The drivers at ODOT are trained and familiar with their equipment and the materials they are utilizing.

ODOT driver Jermaine Jackson enjoys his job and seeing the results of the work he’s done. He works on U.S. 40, performing snow and ice removal operations.

“Just slow down and move over,” he said. “Just give us the opportunity to clear the roads up. The faster we get them cleared up, the faster we get out of their (drivers) way.”

Borell said people can stay safe this winter by looking at a variety of resources on how to be prepared for winter. She said this time of year is a great time to check tires and make sure there is enough tread on them and to check windshield wipers and to have windshield washer fluid on hand.

Services provided by ODOT include treating the roads with salt, liquid brine and plowing. All of the trucks are equipped with a thermometer to test the temperature of the roadways, which will help crews determine the best method of treating the surface.

The crews work 12-hour shifts or more, depending on the need, and ODOT provides around-the-clock service. ODOT managers monitor the weather to prepare for their crews and communicate. All the trucks are topped off with fuel and fluids. If the weather calls for it, ODOT will add chains to the tires on the trucks for an extra safety measure.

“Our crews take great pride in what they do,” Borell said. “Their families, friends, neighbors are traveling the same roads that everyone else is doing, and they do take great pride in what they’re doing to make the roads safe, so please give them plenty of room as they’re out there to do the job to keep you safe.”