The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) is prepared for the 2011-2012 winter season. Here is some information about our operation and some helpful tips for residents and drivers on our County system.

The MCDOT maintains about 530 lane miles of highway throughout our County. Those roadways are divided into snow routes that average about 28 miles per route. In normal operations the Division dispatches 23 large snow plow trucks to the 19 routes. The DOT can also supplement the routes with several smaller trucks as well. The reason for additional equipment on the routes is the expansion of our roadway system from two lane highways to multiple lane roadways mainly in the southeastern portion of our County. A map of the DOT snow routes can be found on this website. In extreme events the MCDOT moves to a 24 hour operation which reduces the routes to 12 but offers 24 hour coverage.

All the trucks the DOT utilizes are equipped with computerized dispensing systems for proper placement of materials and liquids. The trucks have 12 foot plows and 10 foot wing plows. The plows are use to remove the snow from pavement and shoulders and to push back snow drifts. All of the trucks have liquid tanks attached to the bodies.

The MCDOT uses several de-icing materials in its operation. Salt is the main de-icing tool the DOT uses and it is used in its solid and liquid form. The DOT also uses calcium chloride and organics such as sugar beets or sugar cane in their liquid forms. The DOT utilizes pro-active measures and all the best practices in winter maintenance to minimize the amount of chemicals needed and protect our environment while maintaining a safe roadway system.

What are those lines on the road? The MCDOT pre-applies liquid chemicals to the roadways prior to an event if the proper conditions are warranted. This pre-application, know as anti-icing, prevents the snow and ice from bonding to the roadway so it is easily removed and a smaller amount of material is need to keep the surface from freezing. The product used for anti-icing is a combination of a salt brine base, with a small about of the organic and calcium chloride. This is commonly known as Supermix. The addition of the organic makes the liquid dark and because it is a carbohydrate helps keep the solution on the road. It also helps reduce the working temperature as does the small portion of calcium chloride. The same liquid (Supermix) is applied to the salt as it is dispensed to prevent scatter and begin the melting process.

The MCDOT snow and ice policy is also on this website. It gives much greater detail about the operation and procedures the dot uses in its operations.

What can you do? Please drive safely. Please respect the need to clear snow and ice from our roadway system. Like all trucks these plows are large and must travel slowly to scrape the roadways and apply materials. Please stay back from the plow so the operator can see you. Do not put objects near the roadway. Operators must clear the road and shoulder for proper drainage and emergency breakdowns. Objects near the road may be struck by the plow or wing plow. Garbage cans are one such obstacle. Mailboxes are often knocked down from snow coming off the plow. This is especially true in heavy wet snows. Operators do their best to never hit a mailbox. Please check your mailbox prior to the season. If a plow knocks you mailbox down contact the Division of Transportation and it will be repaired per the procedure in the snow and ice policy.

Don’t push your snow from your driveway onto the roadway. This is a State law and may cause a hazard to other drivers. If possible, push your snow at the end of your drive to side where the plow will carry it away from you drive, instead of carrying it across your drive.

Please do not allow children to play near a roadway or to build snow forts near the roadway.

For further information or to report a winter hazard please contact the McHenry County Division of Transportation at 815-334-4960.