Here are a few winter activities maintenance stations may consider working on between winter storm events:

• Wash and clean winter snow equipment and make sure equipment is inspected, greased properly, and services are up to date

• Check snow plow blades for wear and change blades if needed (to ensure proper winter accounting, bill the maintenance of equipment to correct activity)

• Inventory salt and de-slicking grit stockpiles and order materials as needed 

• Make additional brine and fill storage tanks in preparation for the next storm event (for stations with brine facilities)

• Clean up after snow events:

  • Remove / haul off snow from structures bridge parapets

  • Remove snow around and in front of crash cushions

  • Remove snow from and in front of the concrete barrier/sound wall to provide additional snow storage, improve drainage and safety

  • Wing/push back snow with grader along the roadway where needed in mountainous and high wind areas to provide for additional snow storage

  • Rural areas clean their approved median turnarounds for them and UHP to safely use 

  • Clean on and off ramps and exit gores to assure proper drainage with freeze/thaw cycles

  •  Verify snow is pushed back in areas with curb and gutter to assure proper drainage with freeze/thaw cycles

  • Clean interstate guide/information signs from plow snow spray as needed

• Pothole patching throughout the station area as needed

• Sign inspections: drive area and verify any sign that may have been hit, knocked over, has insufficient retro-reflectivity or in need of replacement, then prioritize list and repair/replace signs as Station budget allows

• Guardrail, cable barrier and crash cushions: replace/repair damaged guardrail, cable barrier and crash cushions (be sure to identify damage that may have been caused by an accident and run through the “accident claim process”)

• Delineation: some stations may have the opportunity to work on guardrail, cable barrier and concrete barrier delineation

• Sweeping of cities’ interstates, collectors, and roadways: some urban maintenance stations based on the severity of the winter have the need and opportunity to sweep

• Clean maintenance station

• Clean out approach to runaway truck ramps