WEATHER: KDOT hoping to have highway network back to ‘seasonal conditions’ by end of day Tuesday at the earliest

With the record snowfall noted across the state over the past weekend local and state road crews have been putting in a herculean effort to restore travel conditions to something resembling normal.

At the state level, Kansas Department of Transportation crews have been busy reopening the majority of state highways, many of which were closed Sunday due to the combination of freezing precipitation, snowfall, winds and freezing temperatures. KDOT Engineer Steve Baalman, a recent guest of KVOE’s Morning Show, has been with the state for 30 years and says this is the largest scope of impact he has ever seen in his career.

Baalman tells KVOE News the abundant sunshine and efforts of road crews the past two days should see highway conditions go from nearly impassable to more seasonal by the end of business hours Tuesday. That said, Baalman advises residents that seasonal conditions, while a vast improvement, do not mean you can let your guard down.

You can view the latest road conditions by visiting Kandrive.gov.

Locally, Lyon County Road crews were back out and treating the county network starting at 4 am Tuesday with some notable progress on paved roads according to Engineer Chip Woods.

Woods says given the still freezing temperatures forecasted the next few days, it could be into next week before travel conditions return to normal noting they need to have a lengthy period of warmer weather.

For the city of Emporia, roads are passable but still heavily snow-packed and icy. City Manager Trey Cocking says if you are planning to drive be mindful of both your vehicle and your own limitations.

Public Works Director Dean Grant says a significant amount of melting has occurred driving around on Tuesday with crews having put down salt previously.

Grant’s biggest concern is that some areas will refreeze and people need to use caution even with better decisions. Temperatures are still to be cold and there’s a change of snow Thursday night into Friday.

Grant says crews will continue to hit hot spots on Wednesday.

KVOE’s closings and cancellations page has reduced somewhat in size but is still lengthy as of Tuesday morning. You can find the latest adjustments by clicking here.

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