Employees in the Department of Public Works are readying their equipment for the winter storm headed this way. Staff are installing belly blades and adding front plows to the trucks. With the high winds predicted, the front plows will help with heavy drifting snow. Plow drivers will shift into 12-hour shifts starting tonight at midnight. Because the current conditions are conducive for pre-treatment, drivers are out applying a liquid calcium chloride solution that reduces the bonding of ice and snow to the roadway to major streets. The administrators in the Department of Public Works will remain in contact with their counterparts at the City of Kalamazoo, the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County, and the Michigan Department of Transportation. As the storm winds up, please watch the city’s social media accounts and the city website for updates on snow removal operations. You can also see real-time locations of active snowplows at https://plowtraxx.snowpaths.com/public/983270/983261.