Cold Temperatures Complicating Snow, Ice Removal from Roads for Twin Cities Residents

Two days after most of the Twin Cities area, including Plymouth, received more than 10 inches of snow, traveling the roadways remained complicated in spots.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation addressed the road conditions in a Dec. 11, 2012 statement on the Minnesota Department of Transportation Facebook page: 

MnDOT continues addressing the compacted snow and icy conditions on highways and interstates—particularly in southwestern/west central Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro area. The cold temperatures are complicating our work, because salt becomes much less effective at 10 degrees or lower. Temps will warm over the next couple days, which will make the salt compounds we’ve been putting on the roads MUCH more effective.

County roads and city streets are having the same issue, and those public works departments are working just as hard as MnDOT to get your commutes back to good winter driving condition as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, plow drivers are out there doing everything they can to get rid of that compacted snow before your afternoon commute.

We all will be happy to see the sun (and higher temperatures) tomorrow.

On the Plymouth-MN Patch Facebook page, Vicksburg proved to be a problem for two residents. “The hill on Vicksburg that is south of county road 47 was a nightmare for small cars to get up yesterday,” Jeff Weiner commented.  Dave Haas moved to a grading system, commenting : “Grades for plowing: Wayzata A- (At least they used sand) Plymouth F- no sand on Vicksburg, didn't plow to pavement Hennepin County C MnDot C.”

Tuesday’s morning commute resulted several accidents throughout the Twin Cities, including nearby Golden Valley at Highway 169 near Interstate 394.

Reports of accidents continued to roll in throughout the day, including two occurring over the noon hour near Maple Grove  - one on westbound Interstate 94 at Bass Lake Road and one on eastbound Interstate 94 at County Road 81.

"Double your expected commute and travel times," Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol told Patch, "and expect icy patches and slippery spots."

What roadways are you avoiding? Share your tips in comments!

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