DDOT and DPW Prepare for First Winter Storm

Flickr photo by ryanwh.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 3-6 inches of snow for the District's first major snow storm of the 05-06 winter, starting slowly around noon on Monday and increasing in intensity through the day, with the heaviest snow falling between afternoon rush hour and midnight and moving out of the area early Tuesday morning.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin preparation early Monday morning. Crews will pre-treat with de-icer and salt the city's bridges, overpasses and main roadways. Full deployment of trucks and crews is scheduled to begin at 9 am with over 200 trucks to be deployed. Crews will salt and plow as condition swarrant through the day on the main roads and residential streets. The District's five salt domes will be open.

Drivers are asked to drive carefully, monitor the media for traffic and street conditions, paying particular attention to possible icy conditions.With these conditions in mind, mass transit use is strongly encouraged.

From the video "Steel and Ice: The Trolley Days of Winter".

Number 9, a snow-sweeper trolley from Washington DC, clearing snow. This trolley was built in 1898. Photo: Louis Buchler, postcard courtesy of Larry Smith. www.membrane.com

www.weatherbook.com