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Highway crews work long shifts; commissioners praise snow response after Jan. storm
Summary
Monroe County highway crews worked extended shifts to clear roads after the Jan. 5–6 storm; Highway Superintendent Toby Turner and commissioners described operations, limits and next steps at the Jan. 9 meeting.
Toby Turner, Monroe County highway superintendent, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9 that crews responded continuously to a large storm that began Sunday and continued into Monday, and that most county roads were “in really good shape” by Tuesday. Turner said mechanics and supervisors kept trucks running and that crews worked shifts with enforced breaks to manage fatigue.
Commissioner Thomas thanked the crews and recounted riding in a snowplow during the storm as an “eye opening” experience. Turner said crews generally impose a roughly 16-hour maximum on plow drivers with rest periods between shifts and that some neighborhood roads retained hard-packed snow because of low temperatures and rapid re-covering by falling snow.
Commissioners asked about priorities and timelines; Turner said crews prioritize arterials and main roads and return to residential streets after snow ends, noting that packed snow may not lift until warmer temperatures. The board publicly thanked drivers, mechanics and emergency staff and encouraged patience while crews complete cleanup.
The update came during the meeting’s department updates segment and included discussion of planned follow-up work and material hauling to replenish supplies.
