Here at the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) we have been busy preparing our equipment, training our drivers, and planning our snow removal response effort for the upcoming winter season. The LCDOT snow plows went out on a dry run last week to make sure everything was operating as it should, and to make sure there were no hazards or unforeseen obstacles along the routes.

When you are driving in snow and icy conditions, you will be sharing the road with LCDOT snow plows. We hit the road before the snow starts to fall, and we run the routes in 12 hour shifts until roads have returned to normal conditions. The two most important things to remember:
1. Slow Down
2. Stay Back, Don't Crowd the Plow

Snow Plow Facts and Figures

LCDOT plows only Lake County roads, the ones marked with the 5-sided blue and gold route markers such as Butterfield Road or Buffalo Grove Road. We do NOT plow state routes like IL Route 120 or IL Route 60. State routes are maintained by IDOT.

Lane Miles Plowed by LCDOT: 835 miles
Number of Snow Plow Routes: 26 routes
Number of Hours Worked Per Shift: Shifts are 12 hours long during an active storm event through clean up.
Estimated Length of Time to Complete a Full Cycle: A typical route takes 2 hours or more depending on the amount of snow and traffic congestion.

Ask a Snow Plow Driver!
When you are out on the roads in bad weather, what questions do you have for the plow drivers? We are going to put together a Frequently Asked Questions series, and we want to know what questions you have! Have you ever wondered WHY they do something, or HOW they do something? Let us know and we'll "Ask A Snow Plow Driver!"

Check Lake County PASSAGE for Local Traffic Conditions
Know before you go! Check Lake County PASSAGE for real-time, local traffic information. Through PASSAGE you can also sign up for email traffic alerts, twitter alerts, and smartphone apps. Another feature that can be helpful when winter weather strikes is the ability to view camera images from intersections. In the legend, check the box next to "snapshots" and then click on the camera image to see what is happening at that intersection you want to see. This can help you plan your route home.

Throughout snow season you can also find information on LCDOT's Facebook Page. Please "like" us today!