From left, Town of Brighton Unit Secretary/Treasurer Elmi Beha, a machine operator; Town of Brighton Unit member Tim Kenyon, a plow driver; and Town of Brighton Unit President Kirk Marr, a plow driver, are among the CSEA members who keep the roads safe.
Battling severe winter weather, whiteouts, subzero wind chill and black ice, CSEA members employed as snowplows operators at the state Department of Transportation and local government agencies are working hard to ensure roads are clear and drivable.
As plow operators continue to keep roads safe, travelers are advised to slow down and give plows plenty of space to keep themselves and plow drivers safe.
With subzero wind chill and record low temperatures, ice is one of the biggest concerns in Western New York this winter season.
“When the temperature goes below a certain temperature, salt doesn’t work on the roads,” said CSEA Niagara DOT Local President Jimmy Jones. “This means we work harder to keep the roads clear and safe.”
Plow workers note that once it dips below 12 degrees Fahrenheit, standard rock salt is ineffective and the need for specially treated salt is needed, but it is a significantly higher cost than the standard.
“We can use treated salt, but it is very expensive,” said Town of Brighton Unit President Kirk Marr.
Snowplows can carry more 10 tons of salt, making maneuvering and stopping quickly difficult for the operator. Passing or tailgating a plow can cause a catastrophic accident for both the motorist and plow operators.
As winter weather continues, snowplow operators recommend that if you don’t need to travel, stay home. Many CSEA members, however, need to travel to go to work and provide essential services. If you need to travel, remember that emergency crews’ response times are dependent on roads that are cleared. Remember, plows travel slower and can stop suddenly, so drivers are advised to use caution.
— Sydney Thomas
