Community Corner

Cold Temperature Complicates Snow, Ice Removal from Roads in Maple Grove, Twin Cities

Maple Grove Director of Public Works Ken Ashfeld: "Due to the conditions in which the snow fell, under heavy traffic and then plummeting temperatures, we have ice conditions whereby the actions of deicing agents had little effect during Monday

Two days after most of the Twin Cities area, including Maple Grove, received more than 10 inches of snow, traveling the roadways remained complicated in spots.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation addressed the road conditions in a Dec. 11, 2012 statement on the Minnesota Department of Transportation Facebook page: 

MnDOT continues addressing the compacted snow and icy conditions on highways and interstates—particularly in southwestern/west central Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro area. The cold temperatures are complicating our work, because salt becomes much less effective at 10 degrees or lower. Temps will warm over the next couple days, which will make the salt compounds we’ve been putting on the roads MUCH more effective.

Find out what's happening in Maple Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

County roads and city streets are having the same issue, and those public works departments are working just as hard as MnDOT to get your commutes back to good winter driving condition as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, plow drivers are out there doing everything they can to get rid of that compacted snow before your afternoon commute.

Find out what's happening in Maple Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We all will be happy to see the sun (and higher temperatures) tomorrow.

"Due to the conditions in which the snow fell, under heavy traffic and then plummeting temperatures, we have ice conditions whereby the actions of deicing agents had little effect during Monday," Director of Public Works Ken Ashfeld wrote in an email to Patch Tuesday. "All roads, but mostly highly traveled roads such as State highway and County roads, are still in a relatively ice covered condition. I would expect much improvement throughout Tuesday and particularly Wednesday as temperatures rebound which allows salt to work much better."

Tuesday’s morning commute resulted several accidents throughout the Twin Cities, including nearby Golden Valley at Highway 169 near Interstate 394.

Reports of accidents continued to roll in throughout the day, including two occurring over the noon hour in/near Maple Grove  - one on westbound Interstate 94 at Bass Lake Road and one on eastbound Interstate 94 at County Road 81.

Road conditions are impacting local school transportation as well. Beacon Academy Charter School Principal Jordan C. Ford sent an email to families Tuesday about late buses.

"We understand the last two days have been difficult for you as the buses have been running much later than anticipated. Until the temperatures rise and the ice on the roads melt a little, you can expect the buses to continue to run late," Ford wrote.

"Double your expected commute and travel times," Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol told Patch, "and expect icy patches and slippery spots."

What roadways are you avoiding? Share your tips in comments!

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