New snow plow trucks to keep roads in Allen County clear, safe

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - With winter weather on the way, county leaders have announced how they plan to keep roads here in Allen County clear and safe.  Leaders just recently got 10 new state-of-the-art snow plow trucks to replace the old ones.

Allen County Commissioners believe these new snow plow trucks will be more efficient and safer.  They said the old ones weren't holding up and needed to be replaced.

"We will reduce the number of trips for getting material, use less fuel, and our de-icing capabilities will be faster.  All of this will make our roads safer and better this winter," Allen County Commissioner Linda Bloom said.

Four of the 10 trucks are equipped with a second blade.  Hal Williams has been a snow plow driver with the county for 15 years.  He happens to have one of the trucks with two blades.

"You're going to be able to do in one pass what it takes to do in two passes with one truck," Snow plow truck driver Hal Williams explained.

On top of that, technology in the truck determines how much de-icing material needs to be spread onto roads allowing snow plow drivers to pay more attention to the road.

"Basically we have a joystick right here.  All we have to do is make sure everything is adjusted before we leave and press a button and that's it."

The Highway Department and County Commissioners said this will help keep drivers safe - including those operating the snow plow trucks.

"I have been in the snow plows before.  They're extremely, it's a frightening experience.  Especially when the weather is so, so bad.  I'll feel a lot safer and I know they will too with them in the new trucks," Bloom said.

To pay for the equipment, Allen County Council approved a $1.6 million no interest loan from the rainy day fund.  County Commissioners said it will be paid off by 2015.