Snow plow drivers taking practice runs in Philly, suburbs

PennDOT drivers are having their own training camp. It involves snowplows and salt spreaders.

If you’ve come across snow plows in operation despite nary a flake of snow, you aren’t imagining things. And spokesman Gene Blaum said PennDOT drivers haven’t lost their minds. They have mounted up the plows and taken to the highways on test runs before the first snowstorm of the season arrives.

“We go through the whole process, put the spinners on, put the plows on, and the operators go and drive the route they are going to be responsible for this year,” Blaum said.

After getting used to the equipment, Blaum said drivers survey the roads.

“Being aware of all the surroundings along the highways and the ramps, drainage grates, barriers, so you know what you are encountering when a winter storm strikes,” he said.

PennDOT expects to have 101,000 tons of salt and ice melter in place by the end of November, Blaum said.