ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Communities across New York state are bracing for winter’s return as temperatures plunge well below freezing and snow begins to blanket the region. Snow removal agencies are ramping up preparations with new strategies and equipment to handle the season ahead.
Parks departments and road crews across the region are preparing for winter with upgraded equipment in their arsenals. Advanced snow removal machinery can now clear more snow and ice in a single pass, potentially allowing residents to continue enjoying outdoor activities and recreation even during winter months.
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New York snow removal agencies are deploying advanced equipment that can clear more snow and ice in one pass, potentially keeping trails accessible for winter recreation activities.
Counties mobilize dozens of trucks and hundreds of trained workers through strategically located maintenance facilities to respond quickly when storms hit.
Crews undergo extensive multi-season training programs to become certified in operating specialized plowing equipment independently.
“Maybe somebody can rollerblade in the winter now, maybe somebody can ride their bike in the winter now, if we’re able to keep the trail in that type of condition,” Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Brian Kelley said.
When storms strike, counties deploy significant resources to maintain clear roadways. Dozens of trucks and hundreds of workers take to the pavement across the state. Most counties divide their territories into sections with strategically positioned maintenance facilities, enabling crews to respond quickly to both county roads and state highways.
“We put them through an extensive training program over the course of a winter and a summer to get them certified. And after a couple of years, we get them certified for what we call OPP, or one person plowing, which means they can run the truck and the wing at the same time,” Onondaga County DOT Commissioner Marty Voss added.
With heavy snowfall expected across upstate New York this winter, officials express confidence that experienced workers and thorough preparation have positioned crews throughout the region to handle whatever winter brings.