As the region prepares for a wintry blast tonight, the New York state Department of Transportation says it’s ready to do its part to keep roads clear.
Spokesman Jordan Guerrein said the expected 6 inches of snow in the region is “a very manageable amount” for the department.
He said the DOT has been in touch with the National Weather Service to know what to expect — and they’ve planned accordingly.
“We have people on call, we have salt stocked, we have fuel ready to go in our trucks,” he said.
He said most of their trucks already have been out today, pretreating the roads with salt and brine to melt the snow as it starts to fall on the roads.
With plows expected to be out in force tonight, Guerrein offered drivers some reminders.
"Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one,” he said. “We don’t want people crowding our plows as they work to keep you safe out on the roadways."
He also said drivers should exercise caution — and patience.
"Adjust your speed for the road conditions,” he said. “Be aware that you may see some slick roads. We’re going to do our best to try and keep the roads dry and safe. But again, it’s that time of year again here in the Rochester region. We’re just going to have to give ourselves a little bit of extra time to get to where we need to go safely."
