Wayne County road crews stock up on salt ahead of snowfall

CBS Detroit’s Plymouth Township, MichiganRoad crews throughout Metro Detroit are doing their part to keep an eye on the roads as we prepare for Wednesday’s high winds, snow, and freezing temperatures.

Road crews in Plymouth Township in Wayne County can use a brand-new salt dome provided by the Department of Public Services.

In the summer, the dome was constructed. Prior to its construction, workers would need to go to Livonia to collect salt, then drive back to the region to spread it on the roads.

Before addressing the snowy roads on Wednesday, workers kept the supply up by dropping off salt to the new dome throughout the day.

“We cover approximately 4,500 lane miles in total,” stated Scott Cabauatan, deputy director of Wayne County Public Services.

According to Cabauatan, his team is prepared to get started right away.

Roads will be prepared and maintained by dozens of workers and a fleet of over 100 trucks. Prioritizing high-speed roads and expressways is Wayne County’s primary goal.

“High-speed highways, freeways, and the more often used roads and side streets are the roads we’re examining. If the townships receive six inches or more of snow, we will plow the neighborhoods. “Cities’ municipalities are in charge of maintaining their local roads,” Cabauatan stated.

According to Cabauatan, the county applies a blend of liquid brine and rock salt to improve vehicle traction on the roads.

In order to wet the salt as it exits the back of the truck, we use that brine to pre-wet it. As soon as it touches the road, that activates the salt and speeds it up a bit,” Cabauatan explained.

Crews are currently standing by to keep an eye on the weather. These trucks will be out once the snow starts to fall.

“We’ll begin pre-salting as soon as we know that snow is approaching, examining bridge decks and other places that get rather icy and slippery in the early going. You know, slow down. In the snow, go slowly,” Cabauatan advised.

Additionally, Cabauatan wants to advise drivers to avoid getting too close to snow plows they observe on the road.

To protect everyone on the roads, Governor Gretchen Whitmer approved a state legislation this year mandating that drivers maintain a minimum of 200 feet between themselves and any snowplows in operation.

Alysia Burgio, who grew up in Metro Detroit, has always wanted to work for CBS News Detroit.

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