Dodge County Highway Commissioner Discusses Snowplow Procedures At Juneau Meeting

12/16/17 – The Dodge County Highway Commissioner offered an overview of county snowplowing procedures during a meeting with the National Weather Service this week. As we reported yesterday, Meteorologist-In-Charge Ben Schott of the Milwaukee-Sullivan office met with local emergency responders and other stakeholders in Juneau on Thursday as part of annual outreach efforts. Highway Commissioner Brian Field was brought into the conversation to explain his departments protocol for clearing snow from local roads and the difference between certain classifications of roads.

Class One roads are plowed anytime, day-or-night, receiving 24-hour service. That includes Highway 151, Interstate 41, Highway 33 from Beaver Dam east to the county line; Highway 60 from Highway 67 to Hartford; and Highway 26 from Highway 60 to Watertown. Class Two roads are serviced between 4am and 10pm. That includes all of highways 28, 49, 67, 68 and 175 along with Highway 33 from Highway 73 to Beaver Dam; Highway 73 from Highway 33 to Columbus; Highway 16/60 from Columbus to Highway 67 and Highway 26 from Highway 60 to Waupun. There are also 540 miles of county roads with typical service from 4am to 6pm. Field says a standing rule for highway department employees is 16 hours on-the-clock followed by six hours off.

Schott says motorists need to keep in mind that each storm is different and things change really fast. He says do not take safe driving tips for granted just because as a motorist the same warnings are repeated year after year. Schott also notes that weather forecasts change frequently so stay alert because what is reported two or three days before an event is probably going to be different on the day of the event. Schott will continue to meet with emergency responders and other local officials throughout the year with the next meeting planned in the spring.