BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – Crews around Berks County are gearing up for the first snow event of the season.
“Tomorrow is the first day everybody’s back in action and it’s going to come in the morning during one of our peak travel times,” said Rick Stone, Berks County Manager for PennDOT.
Stone says crews and contractors are trying to prep with some de-icing measures ahead of the winter system that will sweep through the region to usher in December early Tuesday morning.
“It got cooler this year earlier, so we’re dealing with temperatures are down a little bit which lowers ground temperatures,” Stone explained. “[Also] The days are short. We’ve lost our daylight, so it means usually cool temperatures for a longer period of time.”
Reading’s Public Works Department is also preparing trucks and equipment ahead of the winter weather. They have a shift on overnight due to freezing concerns and crews will be out clearing once the snow starts to fall.
“We ask people to stay off the streets, if possible,” said Reading’s Public Works Director, Kyle Zeiber. “Make our job easier, help us out and don’t throw snow back into the street after we come through and clear things because that makes our job more difficult. It also makes it harder for them because if you get ice buildup in the street, it’s a lot harder to take care of.”
“We’ll be here throughout the event,” said Stone. “[It] looks like it’s going to be heavier in the morning and lighten up in the afternoon, maybe change to rain. That’s what we’re hoping for, and the temperatures will come up a little bit and help us out.”
PennDOT is asking people to make sure gas tanks are full, cell phones are charged and give yourself extra time and practice patience if you have to go out in it.