By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The removal of snow and ice from Otter Tail County highways is the most important job confronting the County Highway Department maintenance personnel during the winter season. The safety of the traveling public and serviceability of county highways are the primary concerns of the maintenance crews during this time.

“Our goal is to keep people and products moving as efficiently and safely as possible on our county highways during adverse winter weather conditions,” said County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids. “Crews work within the limits of the financial resources and staffing levels available to the Otter Tail County Highway Department.”

Factors which will influence these decisions include cost considerations and the safety of members of the public and Highway Department personnel. Otter Tail County’s snow removal policy will provide the following minimum levels of service.

• Snow removal will begin, in the judgement of the County Engineer or the Highway Maintenance Superintendent, when the accumulation reaches a point where it inhibits traffic flow or is starting to compact on highways. The normal snow plowing start time is 3 a.m. Plowing will continue as visibility allows.

• Snowfall rates, road surface conditions and visibility will cause adjustments to be made in plowing start and stop times.

• The County Engineer and/or Highway Maintenance Supervisor will make the decision to suspend plowing operations in consultation with the County Sheriff because of poor visibility, safety of the employees and safety of the public.

• The Highway Department will be available to assist in any emergency on public or private roads as directed by the County Sheriff.