SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – If you think it’s a daunting task for Peoria crews to try and get rid of the snow on local roads, try having to do it for a whole state.
“IDOT is broken in to nine districts, five regions,” said Paul Wappel, spokesperson, Illinois Department of Transportation. “We have 1,800 snow plows available statewide. We’re using as many as we can over the last couple of days, and will continue to do so.”
Wappel says there are roughly ten to fifteen counties in every IDOT district, and in some places there is someone assigned to do a specific road, and in other places, crews work in tandem, depending on the situation.
The winter weather situation in the Peoria area Wednesday was almost too much even for IDOT to handle at times, says Wappel.
“We actually got a snow plow yesterday in the Peoria area that went off the road,” said Wappel. “It’s a challenge for us, too. The conditions are so hazardous, so bad right now.”
Or, Wappel says, at least they have been. They’re still discouraging travel for the time being unless it’s absolutely necessary.
But, if you are driving, Wappel says you need to make sure you follow state law — especially one in particular.
“Fortunately, we haven’t had any snow plows hit, at least as of this morning,” said Wappel. “Yesterday…three State Troopers were hit. Fortunately, no serious injuries. So, we want to remind people if they are out, to please remember Scott’s Law. Slow down, and move over, if you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road.”
Scott’s Law also applies to any vehicle pulled over on the side of the road, with its emergency lights flashing.
And, Wappel says, instead of crowd-sourcing interstate highway conditions, you can use the website GettingAroundIllinois.com.
