GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The first winter snowfall of the year means it is go time for local law enforcement and Public Works departments.
In Green Bay, road clean up efforts began this morning and will continue into the late evening.
Public Works Director Steve Grenier had his crews start with reducing snow on main roads.
“During the course of the day, we will be concentrating on the major streets and we want to get most of that stuff down before we get on top of it.”
Grenier says the real “snowfighting” will be done in the mid to late afternoon.
“We will initiate what we call a full plow event. That is when we take all the trucks we have and we start going through the city top to bottom.”
Grenier said that will start between 3pm and 4pm, and will allow for safer travel during rush hour.
“We are hoping to have our primary roads clean and open for the heavy traffic.”
He added that much of the schedule was dictated by how long snow was falling today, which equals a late night.
“During the early evening hours, we will move into the residential areas and start plowing the residentials out. We hope that my 10:00pm or 11:00pm we should be done.”
Grenier said the one positive about the snow today was that it was an Alberta Clipper, so it was not as wet or as heavy as other snowfalls tend to be.
Brown County Sheriff’s Department has responded to multiple accidents on the Highways.
Sergeant Derrick Brown of the Patrol Division said even though the snow is ending, drivers still need to drive with caution.
“We have had quite a bit of snow on the roadways, but the roads are still slippery. Even areas like Highway 29 or I-41 look clear, but they are slippery.”
Brown said the first major snowfall of the year usually results in multiple accidents, and today was not any different.
“We have had a number of cars that have just run into the ditch, a number of cars that have run into barriers or other object. We have also had several multi-car crashes as well.”
He added that taking it easy will be especially important for the commute home tonight.
“Speed seems to be the biggest factor, so slowing down and keeping an adequate distance is important.”
Forecasters are calling for blowing or drifting snow for this evening. Brown said that will add another element to the already slippery roads.
“It is going to be very difficult for crews to keep the roadways clear, even if they are putting salt down.”
The Winter Weather Warning is in effect for much of the area until 6:00pm.
