Parts of the KVOE listening area had a brush with winter driving conditions over the weekend. Once the winter driving season begins in earnest, the Kansas Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be more prepared than normal because of staffing shortages.
Light snow fell across much of the KVOE listening area early Saturday, with minor accumulations mainly west of Kansas Highway 177. No wintry precipitation is expected across the area this week, although people driving to the High Plains and Northern Plains may encounter a major winter storm Thursday and Friday.
Spokesperson Kim Stich says KDOT will still get roads cleared whenever snow and ice are falling. However…
In addition, Stich reminds drivers of the nature — pun intended — of KDOT’s winter workload.
Stich says KDOT has been dealing with “minor” staffing issues for several years, although employee staffing is becoming a more pressing concern the past two years. Stich tells KVOE News employees have done what they can to cover shifts and keep roads cleared in cases of snow or ice. Heading into this winter driving season, the agency is almost 25 percent short of the snowplow operator number it needs to be fully staffed. However, materials are fully stocked, pre-maintenance work on equipment is done and regional offices have had several days of “snowfighter” training exercises for employees.
Residents are encouraged to go online to KanDrive.org or the brand-new KanDrive mobile app to check road conditions before they hit the road. Residents can also call 511 for road information. Drivers should also have their winter travel kits ready, including a first aid kit, jumper cables, snow tires or tire chains, flares, cell phone chargers, winter clothing and blankets, a flashlight, water and snacks, sand or cat litter, shovel, ice scraper and a tow rope.
