PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - While crews knew the snow was coming, temperatures in the single digits combined with poor timing made for a very difficult morning commute Friday.
KDKA Radio traffic reporter Kathy Berggren says it was one of the worst commutes she has seen in years.
“One driver called and said it took him three hours to get from Brentwood High School to the Liberty Tunnels,” said Berggren.
On the Parkways West, Berggren says dozens of cars slid off the road after another round of ice came through the area around 8 a.m.
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PennDOT Allegheny County Maintenance Manager Lori Musto tells KDKA Radio’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland,
“We were aware (the snow) was coming. The timing was probably the worst timing that could possibly hit, just before rush-hour and once again with low temperatures nothing is acting real quick, the salt efficiency is down.”
Musto says they have 69 crews out to get roads clear for the afternoon commute.
“The rest of the day we’ll remained fully staffed . . . we’ll continue to plow as the snow falls and then salt as needed throughout the day and we will remain at full (staff),” said Musto.
“Rock salt becomes less effective when its 17 degrees . . . and the roadways are very, very cold so the rock salt is going to take a little longer time to activate.”