Lisa Sedlak Portfolio

For some folks, it is one of the best sounds of winter. No, not kids sledding or the fireplace crackling; it’s the sound of metal on asphalt as town snow plows clear the roads. When the forecast calls for snow or ice, and many are staying inside, the Town of Blacksburg public

works crew is heading out to clear the roads. And the sound is music to the ears of those wanting a cure for cabin fever or for those wanting to head to the Hill to enjoy some of the best sledding in town.

So what does it take to keep the roads clear in Blacksburg?

Working a twelve hour shift, snowplow drivers come in ahead of the storm. Once the snow or ice starts to fall, a dozen or more trucks hit the roads with a total of 150 tons of salt for an average snowstorm. That’s about the weight of 19 elephants. 

“The snowplow drivers and all of the workers clearing sidewalks and parking lots work very long hours in all types of nasty weather,” says Kelly Mattingly, the town’s Public Works Director. “They take pride in what they do and they do a great job keeping our roads and town properties safe for our citizens.”

The first roads to be cleared are Main Street from the hospital to the intersection of 460 and North Main, Patrick Henry, and Prices Fork to Merrimac Road. Once those roads have been treated the snowplow operators attack the bus routes. When the snow stops, crews start working on the subdivisions and secondary roads.

And even with all the snow Blacksburg received last year, the salt supply never ran out.

How much does all this cost? Last year about $500,000 was spent on ice and snow removal. “We don’t let money dictate our response because we never want to have to answer the question ‘tell me again how much money you were trying to save?’” says Mattingly.

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James Price, a 25 year veteran of the Town of Blacksburg’s public works department and snowplow operator has some advice for those who choose to drive during a snowstorm.

• Don’t pass a snowplow – they can throw salt 20 to 30 feet
• Don’t follow too close – Salt from the trucks can peel paint off of cars
• Please park off the street before a snowstorm
• Stay off the roads until they are clear