Gogebic County crews prepare for the first snowfall

GOGEBIC COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) – The Gogebic County Road Commission is preparing for the first snowfall since late September.

During the summer, many of the plow trucks are used to transport maintenance projects. That means the plows have to be re-tied every fall. Currently, 18 of Gogebic County’s 20 teams are winterized.

Gogebic County Road Commission Manager Garth Stengard said the first snowfall could be the most dangerous.

“Be careful,” Stengard said. “The first snowfall is always the most dangerous because the roads are slippery because the ground is still warm. So I think the traveling public just needs to slow down and be careful.”

Stengard said last winter was a good one for the road commission because plow drivers were not overworked or overloaded. However, he acknowledges that the lack of snow was not good for the local economy.

This year the Gogebic County Road Commission is fully staffed and ready for whatever winter brings.