Roads to be cleared of snow by today

Snow removal across the county was expected to be completed Wednesday morning by the Henry County Roads Department.

Operators cleared the roads as quickly as possible after a heavy snowstorm Sunday, Nov. 25, that brought 9.4 inches of snow to Mt. Pleasant, Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss said.

'Our operators are trying to get their roads open as quick as they can. I think they're doing a good job with that. I direct them to be the most efficient when they're clearing the road,” Hotchkiss said during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Operators were out in motor graders from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. They were working slower than usual, however, because the ground wasn't quite frozen, and operators have to be careful with blading to not pick up all the rock on the road, Hotchkiss said

It takes two to two and a half days for operators to cover all the gravel roads in the county, clearing approximately 542 miles of gravel with seven motor graders, Hotchkiss said. As of Tuesday morning, Hotchkiss said operators had cleared half of their routes.

The county does not salt gravel roads because it would cause damage to the road, Hotchkiss said.

'We're limited on what we can do on gravel. We do pick and blade to get ice off, but that's something we're going to have to watch,” Hotckiss said.

The sun Tuesday made the salt more effective on paved roads, and most of the pavements were cleared by the end of the day, Hotchkiss said.

Operators cover areas of the county based on what type of snow fell and where it blew heaviest, Hotchkiss said. Operators do not follow a pattern of where they clear roads first or what parts of the county they clear last.

Hotchkiss is concerned about the forecasted rain this weekend. The Roads Department is preparing by pushing snow back further and creating pockets for the rain to run off the road into.

'We are preparing or it to be rain but crossing our fingers and hoping it turns to snow or doesn't rain at all,” Hotchkiss said.

Hotchkiss said the county has been fortunate the last few years to not get this much snow this early in the season, and until the department gets into a cold-weather pattern, maintaining equipment and roads is a little more difficult.

'We are working and trying our best to get the roads cleared. We appreciate the patience,” Hotchkiss said.