Article Contributed on: 12/12/2008 8:16:46 AM
When the snow starts to fly in Jefferson County, it's a good bet that district supervisors in the Road & Bridge Division have been watching local weather reports.
Even if it's the middle of the night, their crews might be warming up heavy equipment to clear county roads from any the four district locations and satellite offices.
The snow plow operation covers 700 lane miles of gravel road and 2,800 lane miles of paved road in unincorporated Jefferson County. (One lane mile is a 10-foot wide section of road one mile long.)
Director of Road & Bridge division
Larry Benshoof said the county provides 24-hour service when it comes to snow plowing.
"We watch and track storms as they develop. The supervisors in each area has the responsibility to call their people depending on how the storm is developing," said Benshoof.
Benshoof said supervisors monitor internet and TV sources for weather, so the response to any particular storm changes from location to location, because weather conditions vary so much in different areas.
The snow removal personnel numbers 160 with 90 pieces of snow removal equipment that ranges from the standard tandem plow to loaders and motor graders and tractor trailers for hauling sand.
The central shop is located in Golden at the Golden Gate Canyon Road administration site. Other locations are in Coal Creek Canyon, Littleton, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Lookout Mountain, Pine, Conifer and Buffalo Creek.
Evergreen district supervisor
Rick Pollock said his office has 18 employees who drive the snow plow equipment, maintain the vehicles and maintain the yard.
"The shops are outfitted for maintenance and equipment except for Shaffer's Crossing in Pine. Their equipment is maintained here in Evergreen. The trucks also are used for other purposes besides snow plowing," Pollock said.
Pollock said one of the challenges when a storm comes in is to mobilize everyone, especially if a storm hits at rush hour.
Benshoof said the toughest roads are probably the mountain roads that are steep and narrow.
Benshoof said the division is fully staffed, but due to turnover, they are always in a hiring mode. One of the conditions of employment is to be available 24 hours a day. A Commercial Driver's License is required. Entry-level snow plow drivers make $34,000 a year. Benshoof said the training usually takes six months.
"If they're a quick study, it can go quicker," he said.
Pollock said, "We have a well trained, stable crew. Several people have been here a long time."
Benshoof said the division had not been impacted by economy downturns lately, but for awhile when fuel costs were skyrocketing and the price of asphalt was high, it was a jolt.
"In the next few years, if the assessed valuation of property declines, it could be a down stream we have to deal with. For awhile the price of fuel and asphalt was going through the roof," he said.
Pollock said roads are prioritized with the main arteries cleared first, followed by school bus routes and entry roads into subdivisions. Cul-de-sacs are the last to be plowed.
"We understand the importance of the task and take it seriously," Pollock said.
To view a fact list about snow removal in Jefferson County, visit http://www.jeffco.us/road.
Jeffco snow plow shops
Road & Bridge Administration
21403 Golden Gate Canyon Road, Golden
303-271-5200
District 1 - North
21403 Golden Gate Canyon Road, Golden
303-271-5214
Coal Creek Shop
30495 Skyline Drive, Golden
303-271-5245
District 2 - South
9509 West Ute Ave., Littleton
303-271-5219
District 3 - Evergreen
30846 Lewis Ridge Road, Evergreen
303-271-5249
Indian Hills Shop
4267 Commanche Road, Indian Hills
303-271-5247
Lookout Mountain Shop
24200 U.S. 40, Golden
303-271-5248
District 4 - Shaffers
13008 Parker Ave., Pine
303-271-5243
Critchell Shop
19359 Pleasant Park Road, Conifer
303-271-5246
Buffalo Creek Shop
19384 County Road 126, Buffalo Creek
303-271-5243