COLUMBIA – Columbia Public Works is preparing for the first snowfall of the season on Saturday. 17 members of their team are scheduled to be deployed at 5 a.m. Road temperatures are expected to be near freezing and the city will salt roads early to limit slippery conditions.

Kyle Green, public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the snow could cause problems for roads and traffic Saturday morning.

“Based on the current forecast, it looks like we’re going to get about 2 to 3 inches, which can certainly be problematic, but hopefully will be on the lower end of things,” Green said.

“Crews will initially focus on pre-treating priority routes to reduce slickness and improve traction,” the city said in a news release. “As snow accumulates, efforts will shift to plowing and treating priority routes to maintain safer travel conditions.”

Columbia Public Work announced it will prioritize major roads and intersections to minimize disruption from the snow as the Mizzou football game against the Arkansas Razorbacks takes place on the same day.

John Ogan, spokesman for Columbia Public Works, advises drivers to allow extra time for the trip and to exercise caution when commuting Saturday morning.

“Drive under the speed limit and give yourself more time to arrive,” Ogan said. “Do not follow other vehicles too closely and increase your braking distance when approaching intersections.”

Ogan doesn’t expect any particular challenges in trying to eliminate the dangerous conditions, but said his team is prepared to address any challenges that arise.

Columbia Public Work crews conducted a dry snow run earlier this month to review procedures and ensure they are best prepared to handle the snow conditions efficiently.

“We had a dry snow run on November 7th and the riders used that day to reacquaint themselves with their routes and go through a lot of safety measures,” Ogan said. “It was an opportunity for some of our more experienced drivers to train some of the newer drivers.”

For those traveling to the Mizzou football game on Saturday, Ogan suggests taking advantage of the city’s public transit program to reduce traffic and complications.

“If you are driving to the game, consider taking advantage of the free game day shuttles we offer. You can park in a municipal garage downtown and have a roof over your car,” Ogan said. “This will allow you to avoid a lot of the traffic and parking issues near the stadium.”

Columbia’s parking garages are free on weekends and users can track the shuttle’s location using one of the following apps: DoubleMap Bus Tracker or ETA Spot.

With preparations set to begin early Saturday morning, the city’s public works department assured the community that it is doing everything it can to make residents and visitors as safe as possible while traveling.

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