Pierce County Highway Department plow trucks worked hard last week to keep up with the biggest snowstorm of the year that dumped anywhere from 12-18 inches on the area Monday through Thursday, Feb. 20-23.
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Pierce County Highway Department plow trucks worked hard last week to keep up with the biggest snowstorm of the year that dumped anywhere from 12-18 inches on the area Monday through Thursday, Feb. 20-23.
Highway Commissioner Chad Johnson said 50 employees were on hand to get roads cleared during the February “Snowpocalypse,” as TV meteorologists were calling it.
“Out of the 50 employees at the Highway Department, which includes managers and office staff, every single person is involved in a major winter event,” Johnson said. “We especially appreciate all the traveling public that gives the plows space to do their work, as several surrounding communities have had multiple incidents with plow trucks being struck this winter.”
Pierce County personnel plow 356 lane miles of state highway and 496 lane miles of county highway from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. The county also provides plowing services for four townships.
“I am estimating plow trucks ran 728 hours from Tuesday through Friday cleanup,” Johnson said.
During this storm, 17 plow trucks were out with two backups at the shop. Two road graders worked drifted areas. Three mechanics, two welders and a yard man were based at the Ellsworth shop to load trucks and make repairs as soon as possible.
“The shop foreman and parts man keep us stocked with frequently used parts, so we have been able to very carefully navigate supply chain issues that have plagued others,” Johnson noted.
The work doesn’t begin when the snow starts to fall. Before the storm, preparation is underway at the county’s outlying shops and municipalities, making sure they are stocked with salt-sand (mixed in Hager City and delivered with dump trucks) and salt brine.
“On Friday, those same dump trucks assisted villages with hauling snow, then went right back to hauling salt-sand,” Johnson said.
Three crew members plow various county parking lots with a tractor and skid loaders. Employees are on-hand to provide 24-hour coverage to the Highway Department. They are tasked with multiple jobs, most importantly, calling out the plows early in the morning.
Johnson said his crew is a humble bunch, but they appreciate greatly people watching out for them on the roads.
“As of 12:30 p.m. last Thursday, in those two days, Dunn, St. Croix, Eau Claire and Chippewa counties had plow trucks hit,” Johnson said.
