BUCYRUS — Winter showed its face Sunday night and Monday morning and the road crews were out in full force to clear the way for motorists.
According to the National Weather Service, the Crawford County area received approximately one-quarter inch of snow, leaving a coat of white on the roads.
Eight crews began working in Crawford County rotating on 12-hour shifts, with trucks being on the roads around the clock. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation District 3 Public Information Office, 82 trucks are active in the district the includes Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Huron, Erie, Lorain, Medina and Wayne counties.
The crews will continue the rotation until it stops snowing.
With so many crews out on the roads and highways, motorists are reminded to use caution.
According to information provided by ODOT, visibility and road conditions may change rapidly, and motorists should give other drivers and road crews plenty of space.
ODOT drivers typically will drive at approximately 35 miles per hour while plowing snow and spreading salt. ODOT officials said the speed is recommended to drivers to keep salt being spread from bouncing off the pavement.
Motorists also are encouraged to not pass on two-lane roads, as conditions may be worse in front of the truck. On four-lane or larger highways, motorists should use caution if attempting to pass a road crew and should give enough space for the crew to continue working.
Crawford County’s ODOT branch currently has 5,300 tons of salt and 20,000 gallons of brine to use on the roadways during the winter months.