Georgia’s governor and Atlanta’s mayor vow there will be no repeat of the 2014 winter snow storm debacle that subjected the metro Atlanta area to national humiliation.
The road crews said they have the training and equipment to counter any snow and ice storms this winter.
The state purchased multiple salt barns for a total of 30 after running out last year, according to WSBTV.
Atlanta’s interstate highways and state road turned into parking lots and thousands of commuters were stranded overnight on the roads during the snow and ice storms in January 2014.
Deal and Reed developed a plan after embarrassing themselves in 2014.
- The state, which in charge of the interstates and state roads, reportedly bought 90 new snow plows and new brine spreaders for a total of 500 pieces of equipment.
- The state mandated that personnel from a plethora of state agencies, including transportation, forestry and state patrol, undergo drills to prepare for worst case scenarios.
- The state developed a Winter Task Force that studies the best way to handle future storms and augment the infrastructure in place.
- The state spent $14 million on new road clearing equipment in order to unclog the streets quicker than last year. Some schoolchildren were stranded in their buses on the highways overnight, causing widespread panic for parents and children alike.
- The governor’s winter weather task force also developed communication strategies with state and local agencies and school districts, WSBTV said.
“What we want to make sure is we’re drilling, we’re drilling, and drilling,” said Bart Gobeil, with the governor’s Winter Task Force.
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