Winter-Ready: Kane County Snow Removal Crew Prepared to Keep Roads Safe

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The Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) recently held a winter weather briefing to share updated forecasts from the National Weather Service and introduce new technology being used to predict and monitor road conditions in real time.

KDOT is responsible for plowing 800 lane miles of road in Kane County, divided into 21 routes. The full system typically takes about two hours to complete a single pass.

For the upcoming season, the County has stockpiled approximately 15,000 tons of salt. It uses an enhanced rock salt mixture to improve melting efficiency and reduce salt's corrosiveness. Additionally, KDOT applies liquid salt brine to dry road surfaces ahead of snow or ice, targeting high-risk areas like curves, hills, and bridges. Eight miles of snow fencing have also been installed to reduce drifting snow on rural roads.

New Technologies for Safer Roads

KDOT has introduced several tools to enhance winter road safety. Dashboard cameras with livestreaming and GPS tracking monitor road conditions and snowplow performance in real time. Mini weather devices have also been installed throughout the County to measure wind speed and temperature to predict road surface conditions in real-time.     

Collaborative Efforts

KDOT works closely with the Kane County Sheriff's Department, KaneComm (the County's 911 Center), the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, city and township personnel, and the National Weather Service to ensure safe travel during winter weather events.

Weather Outlook

The National Weather Service predicts a wetter-than-average winter for the Great Lakes region due to a developing La Niña system. La Niña typically brings wetter and colder conditions to the northern U.S. and Canada. Kane County's last three winters were also influenced by La Niña weather patterns.

KDOT's strategy during winter storms is to maintain road conditions throughout the event rather than attempting to preemptively "beat" the storm. Year-round maintenance ensures trucks and equipment are fully prepared for winter operations.

"Snowplows are essential for keeping our roads safe during winter storms, but drivers need to do their part to give them space to work," said KDOT Maintenance Superintendent, Mike Way.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Maintain distance: Stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow.

Avoid passing: Never attempt to pass a snowplow on the right or while it's actively plowing.

Watch for blind spots: Plow drivers have limited visibility directly behind their trucks.

Stay out of snow clouds: Driving through a snow cloud can obscure your view of other vehicles or road hazards.

Be patient: Snowplows are working to make the roads safer for everyone—give them time and space to do their job.

Kane County residents can stay informed about road conditions through KDOT's network of cameras and social media updates.