INDOT continues to fight slick roads

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - 

Several inches of snow coated much of the Michiana area Sunday, leaving three counties, including St. Joseph, under a travel advisory.

The Indiana Department of Transportation advises drivers to use caution as ice could form on the wet roads.

Saturday’s storm brought several challenges for the department’s snow plows.

“Snow was falling faster than our trucks could plow it off,” said Doug Moats, media relations director for INDOT. “When this happens, we have to keep on battling and try to get ahead. Once the snow slows or stops is when we can tackle heavy accumulated snow.”

The department has had all trucks and drivers out in full force since Saturday. Even with months of preparation for the snowy weekend, Moats says they still had several issues.

“We did have a couple trucks that broke down because we were running them non-stop,” he said.

Moats also said other drivers cause problems with the plows by trying to pass or tailgating them, which can be dangerous for both the vehicles driving too close and the plow drivers.

INDOT suggests giving the plows four to five car lengths of space as they continue to battle the weather. The trucks will be out until the roads are completely dry.

“The more salt we put down and the more the traffic drives over it, the better it gets ground into the pavement and eventually prevents ice from forming,” said Moats.

INDOT asks drivers to give extra travel time Sunday to account for the slick roads and the slow-moving plows working to keep the roads safe.