PTC crews got the jump on snow by pretreating roads

In the hours prior to the Jan. 28 snowstorm, public works crews in Peachtree City pretreated all bridges and major intersections with salt and sand in an effort to combat what would become a significant winter weather event.

The city staggered its staff into two seven-man crews working 12-hour shifts in an effort to get ahead of the accumulation and maintain areas that were pre-treated, according to Community Services Director Jon Rorie.

The goal was to have the sand increase traction and for the salt to limit freezing where possible. Public Works did not have to close any roads, but the police department closed a portion of Peachtree Parkway North from the Kedron boat docks after cars started to lose traction and were unable to climb hills.

The city used two small dump trucks with sand spreaders, two F-250 trucks with sand spreaders, a motor grader, a backhoe and a rubber-tired loader.