A steady snow falls at the Lewis and Clark statue near the Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri on February 8, 2010. Weather forcasters say most of Missouri will see up to four inches of snow tonight.
Originally published February 9, 2010 at 9:10 a.m., updated February 9, 2010 at 2:01 p.m.
Road Condition Information:
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MoDOT and IDOT officials said roads could become slick. Motorists are urged to exercise caution when driving.
Snowfall has arrived in Missouri and Illinois. According to the National Weather Service, there were reports of 4.2 inches of snow in Chesterfield. Wind gusts upwards of 20 mph have resulted in blowing and drifting snow in the morning hours.
The temperature dropped below 16 degrees Tuesday morning in some parts of the metro area and the high is expected to be in the 20s. MoDOT officials said to use caution on bridges and ramps, because there is a good possibility of refreezing.
The Missouri Department of Transportation was in full force throughout the night and Tuesday morning clearing the roads from the snowstorm. Around noon, interstates and the major (state-numbered and lettered) routes were partially covered to mostly clear in some areas. Lower-volume (state-numbered and lettered) routes were mostly covered to partially covered in other areas.
Crews planned to continue to apply salt mixed with chemicals and plow the roads Tuesday until all lanes were fully cleared. MoDOT has full maintenance and Motorist Assist crews working 12-hour shifts around the clock until all roads are clear of snow.
Motorists need to stay back at least 100 feet from the snowplows and do not pass or drive beside them.
Authorities in Missouri and Illinois reported slick roads and numerous accidents Monday night and Tuesday morning. According to MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation), all of south bound Interstate 55 was closed at Richardson Road due to an accident around 1 a.m. Tuesday. The highway was opened back up at 4 a.m.
As the morning traffic has increased so have the number of accidents. MoDOT has reports of accidents all over the region.
MoDOT traffic camera.
Officials urge motorists to use caution even when roads are not covered. There are several slick spots.
MoDOT crews have been out applying chemical treatment to the roads since 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
MoDOT and Motorist Assist will have full crews working 12-hour shifts around the clock until all roads are clear of snow. MoDOT urges motorists to drive slow and allow plenty of time for their commute. Motorists need to stay back at least 100 feet from the snowplows and do not pass or drive beside them.
Below are some facts about MoDOT's snow-removal operations:
Personnel, equipment and coverage area:
• 220 snow-removal trucks equipped with plows, wing plows, salt brine tanks and rock salt spreaders.
• 440 employees work in 12-hour shifts around the clock until the roads are clear.
• MoDOT has approximately 28,000 tons of salt on-hand.
• 6,400 lane miles of highway in St. Louis City and County, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson County.
Priorities for snow-removal operations:
• Priority 1: Highest traffic-volume roadways are cleared first, including interstates and other major routes. These roads receive continuous treatment
throughout a storm.
• Priority 2: Heaviest-traveled sections of state numbered and lettered routes like Lindbergh (Rte. 61/67), Olive (Rte. 340) and Page Ave. (Rte. 364).
• Priority 3: Lower-volume, lettered or numbered routes. MoDOT pays special attention to routes traveled by school buses and commuters.
• Priority 4: After the storm, workers clean up accumulation on shoulders, bridge edges and interchanges.
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