Understaffed Snow Removal Can Grind Your City to A Halt

Problem

VDOT required extra roadway monitors during severe winter weather events to ensure 300+ miles of interstates and major state routes around the Richmond area remained open for the traveling public and commerce.

Solution

For the past 3 winters PILLAR has provided up to a dozen experienced snow fighting roadway monitors to supplement VDOT forces during severe winter weather events.

Approach

PILLAR worked with the VDOT Richmond District to provide roadway monitoring and inspection experts well versed in interstate snow removal operations, including winter weather operations, safety and health guidelines, VDOT Road and Bridge Standards and Specifications, and the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual.

PILLAR experts worked closely with the Interstate Superintendent to coordinate contract services including incident response, anti-icing, and other chemical applications or snow removal operations. They were also responsible for monitoring all TAMS/DBIMS contractor activities on 4 interstates and 2 routes within the service area.

These professionals integrated seamlessly into the existing PILLAR team, working 12-hour day and night shifts as needed with 18–30-hour notice. Their work included directing agency snow removal operations using recognized techniques that ensured the safety of the traveling public. They were prepared at any point to operate a loader to ensure salt was loaded into trucks and brine machines, make brine, and operate the brine-making machinery. In addition, they represented the client by attending meetings with personnel and reviewing contractor invoices, and coordinating with the finance department to process invoices, work requests, POs and payment vouchers. Lastly, they provided input on work activities and practices, serving as department liaisons between VDOT/Contractors/and other Agencies during roadway emergencies.