Category:133 Snow and Ice Control

This article is to be used by Maintenance and other MoDOT personnel to execute daily assignments and deal with external customers. Materials and equipment used in snow and ice control are addressed in this article. Districts may use any safety sensitive personnel designated by the district engineer in emergency situations and as indicated by the particular emergency. Snow and ice control operations as well as the Operator’s Guide for Anti-Icing are included in this article.

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to vary from these policies. Dialog between district personnel and Central Office staff is necessary in these situations. A Maintenance policy committee has been established to deal with ongoing revision suggestions. This committee consists of operations personnel from three districts as well as three Central Office staff. Questions concerning maintenance policies should be directed to the Division Engineer - Maintenance who in turn will pass these concerns on to the policy committee. Input from individuals is welcome at any time. Direct your comments to your district office staff, who will forward them to the Central Office for consideration by the Maintenance policy committee.

Anti-Icing

Anti-icing is the snow and ice control practice of preventing snow or ice from bonding to the pavement. Anti-icing forms the basis of MoDOT's snow and ice control program. De-icing will be practiced if and when weather conditions render anti-icing activities ineffective.

Reason for policy: National research shows anti-icing to be the most cost effective snow and ice control program.

Effective Date: 6/1/99

Revision Dates: 6/17/03

Operational Closure

In the event a storm reaches an intensity that the continuation of operations would prove ineffective or would pose an undue safety risk for MoDOT personnel and/or the traveling public, snow and ice control activities should be shut down until weather conditions have improved. The district engineer or designee is responsible for making a closure decision. The State Maintenance Engineer is to be notified of any such closure decision.

Reason for policy: Reserve department resources for when they can be used more effectively

Effective Date: 6/1/99

Revision Dates: 6/17/03, 10/14/05

Intent

Snow and ice control operations should begin as soon as weather conditions warrant and continue on a 24-hour per day basis until all major highways and, at the district engineer’s discretion, high volume minor highways are returned to a wet or dry condition and all remaining minor highways are open to two-way traffic. Refer to 133.4 Snow and Ice Control Operations.

Reasons for policy: Meet customer needs and set statewide performance standards.

Effective Date: 6/1/99

Revision Dates: 6/17/03. 10/14/05, 12/01/06, 8/16/07