KDOT Prepares for Snow in the Summer Heat

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KDOT Prepares for Snow in the Summer Heat

Even in July, winter is never far from the Kane County Division of Transportation's (KDOT) radar. Planning for snow is a year-round priority to keep 730 lane miles of county roads safe and clear during the cold and snowy months.

KDOT has already begun reviewing snow fence placement from the previous season, inspecting its 25-truck fleet, and finalizing salt orders. The county typically uses between 8,000 and 9,500 tons of salt each winter and has a contract in place this year to purchase up to 12,000 tons at a cost of $1.1 million. That salt—both dry and chemically treated—is stockpiled and ready well before the first snowflake falls.

“By October, our trucks will have been inspected, routes will have been practiced, and the only thing left to do is finish putting up snow fencing," said Mike Way, KDOT's Maintenance Superintendent.

This year will mark the second winter KDOT deploys its newest tech tool: Frost Solution cameras. These portable mini weather stations deliver real-time, location-specific data on road surface temperatures, frost conditions, and precipitation. The devices help crews make smarter, more efficient decisions about when and where to apply deicing materials, cutting costs and reducing environmental impact. With 12 township partners now using the same technology, KDOT has expanded its winter weather monitoring countywide, making winter response more precise than ever.

Learn more about the operations and projects underway at KDOT by going to https://kdot.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/Default.aspx​