Officials urge patience with first forecasted ‘major snow event’
NEW PHILADELPHIA – Hazardous road conditions are possible for the Tuesday morning commute. That has officials reminding motorists to be patient with other drivers and road crews.
Tuscarawas County Engineer Doug Bachman says his department has about 15 snowplow drivers caring for 461 miles of roads. He’s expecting the first major snow event of the season Tuesday morning with 2 to 5 inches of snow expected.
He says budgetary constraints mean the county does not have the resources to get all the roads completely clear and dry. He says they get funding from gas tax and license plate fees, which have remained flat for about six years. Meanwhile, costs have gone up.
“We try to do as much as we can with the resources we have,” Bachman said.
He expects county roads will still have a little bit of snow and ice on them if the forecast holds.
“County roads will not necessarily be in a condition such that drivers can safely drive 55 mph after storms,” he said in a Monday press release. “All drivers are encouraged to drive with caution and give themselves extra time to get to destination when snow or ice is in the forecast.”
East Central Ohio is under a winter storm advisory through 1 p.m. Tuesday.