Cookeville Public Works crews are using dry salt and plowing operations to prepare city streets as winter weather approaches.
Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said crews monitor weather conditions closely to determine when pretreatment can begin and how equipment is deployed. Elrod said the city’s snow and ice response is in place.
“We currently have three to five CDL trucks, larger trucks, that are equipped with both salt spreaders and plows,” Elrod said. “We do the dry salt. We do not have any liquid pretreatment, so we have dry salt that is sprayed onto the roadways, and then once the snow accumulates enough to start plowing, we can then plow.”
Public Works prioritizes three main snow routes across Cookeville. Those routes include major thoroughfares, connectors, and access roads to hospitals, nursing homes, fire departments, and police stations.
“Once we do those routes, we work with the police department and dispatch and get reports of roads that are becoming treacherous or roads that we need to get emergency personnel into, and then we prioritize those as they come in,” Elrod said.
Elrod said timing is critical because rain before snowfall can wash salt away before it becomes effective. Crews wait until precipitation fully transitions to snow before applying salt when rain is part of the forecast.
“If rain is not gonna be before the snow, we will come in about two to three hours before the projected snow to start and go ahead and do pretreatment on the dry streets before the snow actually starts falling, when it allows,” Elrod said.
Elrod also asked residents to help crews operate safely and efficiently during winter conditions. She said following too closely or passing salt trucks creates safety hazards.
“We ask that you give us space and give us time,” Elrod said. “Please seek alternate routes if you see us plowing, ’cause we need space and distance, and stay home as much as possible.”
The city will provide updates on road conditions and operations through official communication channels. Information will be shared on the city website, Facebook page, and through emergency management alerts.
Elrod said residents may also see state crews working within Cookeville city limits. Several major routes, including Highway 111, Jefferson Avenue, Willow Avenue, Washington Avenue, Spring Street, Broad Street, Highway 70, and Gainesboro Grade near Tennessee Tech, are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.