COLOMA, Mich. -- Last week's pile up on i-94 has MDOT crews on high alert. They’re out in full force to try to prevent a repeat of last week’s string of accidents that made travel a nightmare.

MDOT crews at the Coloma garage are patiently awaiting another storm.

“There's 14 routes in this specific garage so there's 14 snow plow operators out there every day if it’s snowing,” said Lisa Marsh-McCarty, Transportation Maintenance Supervisor , MDOT

Interstate 94 seems ideal - a link between Chicago and Detroit. But its proximity to the lake means it receives all forms of precipitation, often in a short period of time.

“We had a small storm this morning. It started out with some rain and freezing rain and turned to snow,” said Marsh-McCarty.

The MDOT crews are on staff 24/7 and when it's snowing, drivers work 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.