How to monitor the roads if you’re traveling this weekend
Winter weather has hit northeast Kansas and local officials are advising you to avoid travel if at all possible.
If you do need to travel this weekend, you can keep track of road closures and snow removal processes.
The City of Topeka rolled out new equipment in November. The city established priorities when it comes to removing snow in the city.
Workers started pre-treating bridges at 5 p.m. and will start full treatment of roads at 7 p.m. Friday. You can see a full explanation of the process, as well as a map of the treatment plan on the city’s website.
SNOW REMOVAL PROCESS: https://www.topeka.org/streetmaintenance/snow-removal/
SNOW ROUTES & TREATMENT STATUS MAP: https://topeka.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=333bf7f2c48243aeafeab8240ad8b613
The Kansas Department of Transportation will also have crews treating highways as soon as the rain starts to clear up. Then, they will begin snow removal later in the evening when it starts to accumulate.
KDOT made it easy for you to track highway conditions across the state. You can find a live map and weather cameras HERE.
Both the city and state are asking you to watch out for their trucks when they are treating the roads.
“When the weather’s like this and coming in, yeah. If you can stay home, I would stay home,” Tony Trower, with the city of Topeka said. “Again, if you have to get out please give the employees time that are out there working to get the streets cleared for you.”
“Slow down, give some space between each other,” David Studebaker, with KDOT, said. “Respect the snow truck, they’re big, they’re out there to help you. If you crowd them, or get in their way, they’re not going to do that as effectively.”