TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- A blast of early spring snow made for a messy commute Wednesday morning.
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission said they used a full fleet of plows during the morning and afternoon hours. “We've even got a mechanic out in a truck today…there is probably about 27-28 trucks out today…a full fleet for the daytime crew,” said Mike Flees.
The Road Commission said spring snow is expected, but it can take its toll on plow drivers who are forced to work long hours. “It depresses a lot of guys to see all the snow we got…and you got soft shoulders which really makes it dangerous…this is a good time for plow trucks to flip over. They get on a soft shoulder and just go over,” Flees said.
Tow trucks were also busy cleaning up after the slippery midweek snow squall. Ward Eaton Towing had approximately eight trucks out today taking dozens of calls. “On a day like today we can get 80-90 (calls). First call I had this morning, a guy was trying to plow his subdivision and his plow froze up and we had to remove it and take the plow in and get it fixed and get him unstuck,” said Chuck Whiteford.
As for keeping the roads clear the rest of the spring, the Road Commission said they have enough sand and salt to get them through. However, Flees said they have used more salt this year than last year.
