PennDOT plow drivers take dry runs before inevitable snow

Drivers have been spared snow so far this fall, but PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration George McAuley knows that fortune won't last.

“We have been keeping in contact with (PennDOT's) prognosticators though ... so we'll be ready when it does come,” McAuley said.

McAuley joined PennDOT District 12 officials and about two dozen snowplow drivers from four Western Pennsylvania counties Monday for winter operations training at the agency's stockpile shed in Unity. This week, about 22 agency drivers per day will practice driving large plows along a half-mile practice course.

“It definitely helps us before we go out on the road,” said driver Ernie Ruggieri, an 11-year PennDOT employee who sometimes is assigned the winding, snow-covered mountain roads around Connellsville.

He noted it's not easy to navigate the truck with a wing plow attached.

“It weighs more than a ton, and when it's fully extended ... it goes out 22 feet. This is a really good exercise for us ... although it is intense at times, too,” Ruggieri said. “It's pretty complicated too move the plow in and out, up and down. ... There is a lot to it. This course is really helpful getting us prepared.”

Drivers test their skills at backing into stalls, navigating narrow, one-lane roads, winding though a serpentine area with traffic cones and driving around a cul-de-sac, District 12 Executive Joe Szczur said.

“We even have mailboxes erected along the practice course. Our district includes the foothills of the Laurel Highlands, which often become a winter wonderland when you get up in the hills,” Szczur said. “We try to give them experience in all types of driving situations.”

It was the second of two weeklong training sessions for about 200 plow drivers from Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The first session took place in October.

“We used to have it at each county, but this area affords us a lot of space,” Szczur said.

The district's winter budget is about $18 million this year, District 12 Safety officer Jay Ofsanik said. About $19.3 million was spent last year to maintain 8,200 snow lane miles. About 62,837 tons of salt were used last winter, along with some 1.1 million gallons of brine and 39,947 tons of anti-skid material.

Statewide, McAuley said $220 million is budgeted for winter maintenance, “and we have 732,000 tons of salt on the ground ready to go.”

PennDOT is looking to hire temporary drivers, mechanics and welders during the winter, McAuley noted. About 100 temporary drivers are needed throughout District 12, plus 36 mechanics. Visit www.employment.pa.gov for job information.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib.