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.