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City crews are ready to keep the roads clear when the snow begins to fly.

“We have roughly 500 tons of salt and sand and a commitment for more if we need it from our suppliers,” Liberty Public Works Director Steve Hansen said. “It should be enough to get us by.”

When crews do hit the streets, it will be in nine large trucks with plows and spreaders and eight smaller trucks with plows.

“We have 158 center lane miles of roads to treat,” Hansen said. “With a 4-inch snowfall, we should be able to make at least one pass through on all the streets within 15 hours.”

Hansen is well aware, though, of the variables that seem to come with every winter storm, including ice and what can happen if the temperature drops.

“The colder it is, the harder it is to do anything,” he said.

That is reflected in the diminishing capability of salt to melt ice when the bitter cold sets in as well as the drop in traffic, which also diminishes the ability of salt to melt ice.

When motorists are out on the road, Hansen said they should stay clear of snowplows.

“You need to give them room,” he said. “They are classified as emergency vehicles.”

The Missouri Department of Transportation offers additional advice for driving during winter weather.

“Use common sense and adjust your speed to driving conditions,” MoDOT’s Web site says. “Always wear your seat belt and remember, driving is most dangerous when temperatures are near 32 degrees.”

More suggestions found at www.modot.mo.gov/road_conditions/winterdrivingtips.htm include keeping your fuel tank full; keeping mirrors, windows and lights clean; watching for other vehicles having problems; and never passing vehicles on or near bridges.

BE PREPARED

When traveling in winter weather, make sure your carry the following items in your vehicle:

- Flashlight with extra batteries

- First aid kit with pocket knife

- Necessary medications

- Blankets or sleeping bags

- Extra mittens or gloves, socks, and a warm hat

- Sand for traction

- Small shovel

- Booster cables

- Tools, including pliers, wrench and screwdriver

- Brightly colored cloth to use as flag

- Nonperishable foods

- Bottled water, matches and candles

Source: Missouri Department of Transportation

WHEN AT HOME

Liberty Public Works Director Steve Hansen said residents can assist street clearing efforts during winter storms by:

- Parking off-street whenever possible, allowing plows to clear more of each street

- Keep overhanging tree limbs trimmed along streets

- When shoveling a driveway, pile the snow near the entrance of the drive downstream from the direction the plow will be coming

Senior writer Mark Johnson can be reached at 628-6010 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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