GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Kent County Road Commission is already preparing for what could be the largest snow and ice system to hit West Michigan since the beginning of winter.
READ MORE: Snow arrives Thursday afternoon, signals shift to colder pattern
Director of Operations Jerry Byrne says crews are expected to be working around the clock to clear the roads as much as possible. Salt works best above 25°F. With ultra low temperatures and wind chills, crews will turn to sand for traction.
Large winter systems can become costly for road maintenance crews. Between staffing costs and products, it can easily become roughly $300,000 per day for the county to combat the conditions.
"[Drivers] need to be prepared for multiple days of snow-covered, slippery roads. Right now, we've all been spoiled. The road authorities, the motorist, the residents - this is going to be a multiple-day event, based on the forecast, and you just need that mindset that it's not going to be back to normal," said Byrne, who's asking drivers to be patient or stay at home.
The Kent County Road Commission is already in constant communication with the National Weather Service to best handle the conditions.
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