The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Maybrook yard has prepared for the upcoming winter weather. The NYSDOT Region 8 had until Nov. 1 to train their employees and ready their equipment.

Training for winter operations began with classroom teaching in October. After that, workers drove vehicles on the grounds of the Maybrook headquarters and took test runs on the road. A supervisor will spend hours riding with a driver before they are ready to face the harsh winter weather conditions.

The Maybrook yard has many tools to keep roads safe during the winter. Among them is a tow plow, which the NYSDOT uses on larger interstates. The plow is attached to the front of the truck and pushes the snow.

In addition, the Maybrook headquarters has a double wing plow. There is a plow on either side of the truck, which pushes snow to the side of the road. Snow blowers are also used to keep the roads clean. Front end loaders use their buckets to pick up debris off the streets.

The Maybrook location is home to a hopper, which is used to make brine. Water and salt are placed into the hopper. When the mixture reaches the correct salinity value it is placed into a storage tank. From there, the brine is pumped into a tank in the patrol car. This chemical is used to get rid of snow and ice on the roads.

Heather M. Pillsworth, NYSDOT Region 8 public information officer, stressed the importance of safety this winter. Snow and ice can make roads hazardous and it is important that they be maintained.

“As far as DOT is concerned, safety first,” Pillsworth said. “For the traveling public and employees.”