However, according to
Caltrans spokesperson Troy Bowers, that has not stopped the state agency from plowing and de-icing upcountry
roads during this past week’s storms and ice events. Currently, the
upcountry snow and ice mitigation duties are being performed by year round
employees of the Department of Transportation who have been working overtime
everyday to provide the safest road conditions possible.
Temporary, winter
employees, hired specifically for the winter duties which include plowing,
de-icing and avalanche control, will begin this Friday. Hwy 88, is unlike
Calaveras County passes that are closed for the winter. Hwy 88 is maintained year round and is only closed in
the winter when it is necessary for safety reasons because of inclement weather
or avalanche control.
According to the California Highway Patrol
Community Resource Officer John C. Hardey roadway problems due to ice and snow are handled by
Caltrans and most issues that arise on upcountry roads are because of the
drivers on the roadways themselves. Circumstances like unprepared drivers with inappropriate
tires, no chains, and excessive speeds are the cause of accidents in the
inclement snowy and icy conditions nearly 100 percent of the time- not a lack
of maintenance on the roadways states Hardey.