Mechanics at the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 10 garage in Washington County have started 150-point inspections of the district's plow trucks, part of annual winter preparation that ODOT says will extend to facilities across Ohio over the next two weeks.
Ashley Rittenhouse, the district's public information officer, said the checks cover fluid levels, tires and the plows themselves, and that finding problems early avoids breakdowns that would slow road treatment during storms. The inspected vehicles normally serve year-round highway maintenance and are fitted with plows and salt spreaders for winter.
District 10 spans nine counties in southeastern Ohio, from Gallia County north to Monroe and Noble counties. County garages each staff 15 to 20 highway technicians and maintenance workers plus two to three full-time mechanics, and ODOT is recruiting seasonal help for storm operations.
Rittenhouse said salt barns across the district are fully stocked. Statewide, crews spread about 813,000 tons of salt last winter, according to the department. Highway workers are moving into winter duties after months of flood-related cleanup — clearing debris, opening culverts and repairing ditches following heavy summer rains.
ODOT directs motorists to the free OHGO app and ohgo.com for traffic cameras, closures and pavement conditions. Officials reported 58 ODOT plow trucks were hit by vehicles during winter operations last year and urged drivers to keep their distance from plows, allow extra travel time and postpone trips when conditions are poor.