PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – The City of Peoria and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) did not renew a 10-year intergovernmental agreement on plowing the roads. But, they both said they’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at them this year.
“[There are] just different financial and operational impacts on both ends, that that agreement wasn’t reached this year. We’re in good communication with IDOT, we have a very good partnership, it was just this year we weren’t able to reach an agreement,” Peoria Public Works’ Nick McMillion told 25 News.
Peoria has three different types of roads: city-run, county-run, and state-run roads. The three levels of government have to coordinate to keep the roads clear during the winter.
In years past, Peoria maintained several state roads within city limits, like Western Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Howett Street, and Knoxville Avenue.
This year, IDOT will clear driving lanes on those state routes, and Peoria will clear the parking lanes. City workers have also added two additional routes to their lineup.
IDOT shed some light on how it prioritizes roads.
“You know, the priorities are going to be near hospitals, airports. If something is hit hard that’s a main artery, then we’ll plow those areas. We’ll be out on all roadways like I said that are state maintained,” IDOT’sPaul Wappel said.
When driving in the snow, give the plows plenty of room. If a plow is hit and taken out of commission, that’s one less plow clearing the roads.
Peoria Public Works said they’re fully staffed and prepared for winter. Plow drivers are running their routes now, to make sure they’re familiar with every road they’ll encounter.
IDOT has been pre-treating bridges, ramps, and hills with super brine to help salt stick to it later. IDOT’s salt domes in the Peoria area are filled to capacity.
According to the city, it negotiates with IDOT on a year-to-year basis. Even though there’s no agreement this year, there could be one next year.
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