BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – While it may not feel like it yet, we are in that time of year when it’s wise to prepare for winter road conditions.
That’s just what the Beckley Board of Public Works is doing, getting all its salt, equipment, and crews winter-ready, as well as putting spreader boxes on a few trucks in the garage and ensuring the plows are ready to go.
“We already have a salt supply in case it snows,” said Supervisor Eddie Polk. “Hope it doesn’t, but we’re prepared if it does. Usually, we start about mid-October with some of the truck preparation, and then have it mostly done before the first snow flies.”
According to Polk, they normally run 24 hours, with two 12-hour shifts, and ten trucks running on each shift.
“We’re always out there trying to do the best job we possibly can, so the roads are open and the public can get where they need to go,” he said. “But you really need to allow yourself extra time because being an impatient driver in the snow is not a very good situation for the driver of that vehicle or our plow drivers.”
There are times, though, when Polk says they won’t have as many trucks because of breakdowns or employee sickness.
He says sometimes people call to tell public works their street has yet to be plowed, with the supervisor adding that his team will usually get there within a couple of hours.
“We haven’t forgotten about them; just be patient — we will get to it,” said Polk.
The supervisor says they first have to respond to 911 calls before they can clear the streets for the service.
“We’re just handling Beckley city limits: 530 some streets, I believe, is what we try to clear the snow from,” Polk said, of the 7 am to 3 pm shift.
“But if it’s snowing, we’ll just keep going, and it might be a continuous 24 hours between two separate crews and a night shift,” said the supervisor. “Allow plenty of time in the winter and try to be respectful to the drivers.”
