Icy Roads Challenge Drivers, Road Crews

Jay Barrett/KMXT

Near-record snowfall, record lows, and now rain falling on the ice have presented challenges for Kodiak drivers as well as those responsible for clearing the streets. Chris Lund, the city’s public works maintenance supervisor, says the crews have been going to work in the wee hours lately.

He says he’s had to call in dump truck drivers from the waste water treatment plant, but so far the city’s five trucks have been able to handle the load. He did say, however, the road crews managed to get Thanksgiving day off because of a break in the weather.

He said the rain on the roads, deep-chilled by single-digit temperatures, turns to ice almost immediately and presents an additional challenge.

He said the public works department has had some other challenges this month. The small snow-blower used to clear sidewalks broke down last week, and all the snow has put a dent in the city’s supply of road salt mixed with chipped rock.

School buses ran about a half-hour late Tuesday afternoon because of the icy conditions, but there were no reported delays Wednesday morning.