‘Much better position’: DOT says crews ready for Southcentral’s first major snowstorm

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska Department of Transportation leaders say as Southcentral Alaska deals with the season’s first major snowstorm, they are better prepared over last season.

“We’re in a much better position than we were last winter in terms of both equipment and manpower,” DOT Administrative Operations Manager Justin Shelby said. “First snowfalls of the season are always the slickest. That is the main concern here, especially since there are still many drivers who might not have their snow tires on yet.”

While staffing challenges are always a concern, Shelby said sitting at three operators down out of 39 is a “good average” for where the department typically is at this time of year.

Shelby also emphasized which state roads the DOT’s primarily responsible for versus those that Anchorage city crews oversee.

The state’s webpage offers detailed maps outlining DOT’s snowplowing radius, while Anchorage’s street maintenance webpage offers detailed maps of not only DOT’s areas but the municipality’s street and sidewalk status and areas.

“[In Anchorage] primarily we’re focused on the highways first, and then we move on to other major roads like Dimond and Dowling, etc.,” Shelby said. “We are doing our best to get out there and sand intersections, but with the snow coming down continually, the condition is going to be changing throughout the day, so slow down, take your time, watch out for other drivers, pedestrians, and when you’re out on the roads, please make sure to give our operators plenty of room to work.”

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