Highway Engineer talks department updates and staying safe on the road

The lack of snow during the 2023-24 winter had many Northerners wishing for a lot of snow this season. If the past few weeks is any indication, those people will get their wish.

Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass spoke with WTIP about road safety during the winter season. He shared information about how plow services in the county work, and gave some guidance for drivers. He started out simply, saying “I think the biggest thing is just slow down.”

Hass also warned drivers that when they are sharing the road with a snow removal vehicle they should air on the side of allowing plows a wide berth. He said, “The visibility in those vehicles is very, very limited, so I would, I think a good practice is just slow down and assume they can’t see you. So, you know, make sure you give as much space as you can.” He added that though plows may be moving slowly, passing a plow on the road is generally unsafe.

The plow drivers may be called in to begin clearing roads at 4 a.m., and Hass said that typically they will not continue to plow later than about 4 p.m., to ensure that drivers have enough rest time between long days. He said that if county residents have a concern at a time outside of that window, they should contact the Cook County Sheriff’s dispatch.

As the year wraps up and winter weather means a halt to outdoor infrastructure work, the Highway Department is looking toward 2025. In addition to several smaller bridge and road projects in the west end, Hass said that 2025 should see the beginning of the “Mill the Hill” project, which would include a bridge replacement over Little Devil Track River on the Gunflint Trail and road work on the Gunflint Trail between 5th Ave. and the Four Corners. Hass said that this is the largest project his department has taken on in recent memory. 2025 will also include the conclusion of the bridge project in Grand Portage. The project is stalled with the winter weather at this time.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Highway Engineer Robbie Hass live on Daybreak. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski December 6, 2024