OKC street crews believe pre-treatment mixture helped roads during winter weather

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - If you've thought that Oklahoma City roads were easier to drive on than other winter storms in the past, you're not alone. City road crews agree and credit that to their pre-treatment mixture.

"I actually enjoy plowing the most," said Benjerman Baird, with OKC Public Works. "It's quite exciting."

Baird worked midnight to noon Friday.

News 4, armed with a hand-cam, went along for the rough ride.

"It's not meant for comfort," said Baird.

"So we're going to see every single bump?" News 4 asked. "Pretty much. You're going to feel them all," he replied.

Baird's been treating the southeast side of the metro. He knows what the roads feel like before and after he plows.

"Mostly ice and slurry. It's starting to melt a lot more so it's mostly just slurry now," said Baird.

Baird credits that tot he city's pre-treatment mixture.

"All the beet juice, brine, Beet/Brine mix comes out of this truck," said Mike Love Jr, the OKC Public Works Emergency Operations Manager.

So far, crews have used about 900 gallons of it, starting two days before the snow fell.

"Salt stops working at ten degrees, this stuff works past that," said Love.

"When this first came out we were skeptical, but you were saying you think it's really paid off?" asked News 4.

"I think it really helped it gave us that extra time to get out and keep the roads a little safer," said Baird.

Those manning the city's 32 trucks agree.

"It looks like it helps out a lot. It's not as icy as it has been in the past few years," said Baird.

While he's working the huge truck and big plow, Baird said the most dangerous part of his job is the traffic.

"We're just trying to watch our corners and these are big trucks and you've got these little cars zooming past you," said Baird.

The city trucks even warn drivers to stay back 100 feet. However, Baird would like a 4-car difference between you and him.

"Because if I've gotta stop, I can stop, but they might not be able to stop," he said.

Crews still have a couple more 12 hour shifts left.

Next on Baird's agenda is clearing bridges.

You can find a link to the city's snow routes here.