The snowstorm missed the Tri-State overnight but Ohio Department of Transportation crews were prepared.

Thursday, December 14, 2000

The snowstorm missed the Tri-State overnight but Ohio Department of Transportation crews were prepared.

Local workers readied trucks Wednesday afternoon for the expected wintry mix, said ODOT transportation manager Bill Patrick in Ironton.

And, about 1 p.m., salt trucks from the Ironton garage started on their trips treating roads and protecting drivers.

Crews put down both salt and grit on roads. The ingredients are used to combat a mix of sleet and snow. There were at least two trucks with about 12 to 14 tons of salt per truck, Patrick said.

"It was a little slick earlier on the west end of 52, so we sent the trucks out a little early," he said.

Crews also kept an eye on the temperature. If temperatures had fallen below 20 degrees, they were prepared to distribute liquid calcium onto roads. Liquid calcium works better at clearing roads during lower temperatures.

Although trucks did go out, crews were not expecting to encounter any serious road trouble.

"After midnight, it’s supposed to rain with temperatures rising into the upper 30s," Patrick said.

The trucks would have distributed the salt and grit on all streets and routes in the county if the storm had hit.

Symmes Valley High School student Linzy Dillon contributed to this story.