SPRINGFIELD, IL (WAND) — Snow is set to arrive this week in central Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is ready.

“Getting prepared for winter weather is something we do 12 months a year,” Paul Wappel, Public Information Officer for IDOT, told WAND News.

1,800 trucks, 1,700 staff and 558,000 tons of salt are stocked and ready.

“We have our equipment ready, we have our staff ready, we have plenty of salt,” Wappel explained.

Wappel said you may see trucks out treating bridges and overpasses.

“A lot of things just depends on what the temperatures are and the wind and everything else that goes into it. We’re ready to go and we’ll have staff out on the road, if needed,” Wappel said.

He said remember to leave plow drivers plenty of room on the road.

“A snow plow operators’ field of vision is restricted. These are big pieces of equipment, big vehicles, and you may seem them, but they may not see you,” Wappel added.

A snow plow accident can be dangerous and takes vital resources out of service.

“Any plow that gets hit, by the way, gets pulled out of services. That means there’s one less plow to take care of the roads, so that’s another downside. Obviously we don’t want anyone to get injured in a crash or have any fatalities or anything,” Wappel explained.

Plow drivers will be reporting conditions back to gettingaroundillinois.com. Wappel said to check the conditions and buckle up before you leave home.

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