While there's no threat of snow on Western New York roads this Christmas, state plow operators will have additional equipment available when the flakes finally start falling. New York State has purchased new "tow plows" that, when attached to plow trucks, will double the vehicle's ability to clean snow off highways.
When extended, the tow plow helps the vehicle clear two lanes at once, or about 26 feet according to transportation officials.
"The actual tow plow itself tows behind the snow plow truck. It does have a salt hopper and it does have dispensers to dispense liquid such as brine," said DOT spokesman Susan Surdej. "We can be dispensing salt and/or a liquid in both lanes, by using the combination of the plow truck and the tow plow."
The state has purchased 62 tow plows at the price of $50 million, paid for with dollars from Governor Cuomo's NY Responds program. Six of the units will be deployed in Western New York to cover Routes 219, 400 and I-86.
