WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 not even Halloween yet, but snow plows are already patrolling the streets of Washington.
The Department of Public Works is testing the snow plows now to make sure the equipment works and is ready for when the snow does begin to fall this winter.
鈥淲e are getting ready for our snow season, even though it is my prediction that it鈥檚 not going to snow,鈥� D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser jested with workers Friday at the Farragut Salt Dome ahead of the test drives.
The workers shouted back that they want the snow.
The region got plenty of it last winter, with some places seeing feet of snow during a massive January blizzard.
Last season’s snowfall has impacted the way D.C. is planning for snow this year, Chris Shorter, D.C. Department of Public Works director, told 蜜桃视频app.
鈥淚f we get another large blizzard, then we will certainly be prepared in a way that we were not coming into last season,” he said.
Some of the changes include better tracking of snow plows so residents and local stakeholders can reliably see if a plow has recently passed, either to remove snow or lay down brine and salt.
鈥淭hat was a big complaint last year,鈥� DDOT director Leif Dormsjo said. 鈥淭he automatic vehicle locator system hadn鈥檛 been upgraded in, I think, over 10 years, so there has been a lot of technical advances.鈥�
The department will also have replacement or backup snow plows at the ready, should the city need them.
鈥淚f we have a situation where our vehicles go down, we will be able to quickly pull new vehicles into the operation,鈥� Shorter said.
Residents can take a look at the .
Bowser touted the city鈥檚 quick and proficient response to last January’s big blizzard storm, including getting the District reopened sooner than other parts of the region.
But that wasn鈥檛 the case just days before that blizzard, when a small winter weather event , turning a normal trip home into a seemingly apocalyptic evening rush hour.
To correct that, Bowser said the National 蜜桃视频app Service will be doing more to help local governments.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to get those forecasts out to us earlier so that all of the jurisdictions can prepare for snow events that might start during the workday,鈥� Bowser told 蜜桃视频app.
She said regardless of the type of weather the District may see, she has one priority.
鈥淲ashington, D.C., will be a city that responds to snow and doesn鈥檛 shut down,” she said. “That鈥檚 our goal.鈥�
