SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) – Update: Shawano County Sheriff’s Office says work has been done to make Highway 29 more driveable as of midafternoon, but drivers should still exercise caution when traveling, and it is possible roads can freeze again this evening if conditions are right.
Shawano County officials had a busy morning dealing with icy roads Monday.
Highway Commissioner Grant Bystol said most of the roads are ice covered and conditions are making it difficult for them to keep the roads clear.
“They make their round and apply their salt or salt brine, it is lasting but by the time we get back around it is refreezing.”
Highway 29 near Wittenberg was closed for much of Monday morning due to an accident that involved three semis.
Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber said the accident calls in the county kept coming in in large numbers and urged people to stay off the roads or reduce their speed.
Bystol says warmer temperatures will help get the roads clear, but in the meantime, work is being done to make travel safe.
“We are continuing to stick with it and apply materials and do some scraping and salting.”
He said they had to take some extra precautions to keep their equipment in harm’s way.
“We ended having to chain a lot of our trucks.”
He said they also had to change some routes to avoid driving downhill before salting. He said they had to start at the bottom of the hill and work up.
