Work continues for NDOT plow crews

When the storm of the decade hit, Ron Millim of Carson City wasn't stuck in the snow, he was helping plow others out of it.

These days, he's up at 4:30 a.m. to drive back and forth on lonely, snowy roads in a rumbling plow.

Millim, like almost all western Nevada roadworkers, has worked 12 to 16 hours every day for the last two weeks. On New Year's Day, instead of relaxing at home with his wife, five kids and five grandkids, he was plowing a safe path through the winter wonderland. The time he wasn't at work he was sleeping, getting ready to start again the next day.

Millim, a Nevada Department of Transportation supervisor, said his 10-person crew plows Highway 395 from north Washoe Valley to Stephanie Way in the Carson Valley. They cover main streets to the back streets that are under NDOT's authority.

"My crew is an outstanding crew," he said Monday. "They work hard, and I couldn't do it without them. But it gets discouraging sometimes because we all work such long hours and people still complain."

For 27 years, Millim has worked to keep Northern Nevada roads safe. On Monday, he was widening the roads in a rotary snowblower on Old Highway 395. He plays music to break the monotony.

The state pays workers overtime for weekends and holidays and for work weeks of more than 40 hours.

"I enjoy it," he said. "I like working

with the public and keeping the roads open so people can go back and forth."

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Larry Haugh, a highway maintenance supervisor with the state, said whiteouts have been common as he plows the mountain passes.

"It gets pretty long in those trucks dealing with whiteout conditions," he said.

The Carson City man oversees a crew of 14 that plows Highway 50 over Spooner Summit, State Route 28 and Highway 50 to the California border. One of his biggest problems has been trucks that don't carry chains. They end up getting stuck and tying up traffic for hours. He recommends that all semi-trucks carry chains.

"We have to dig people out who are stuck, and they are appreciative of that," Haugh said.

The most snow he has seen in a single storm was about 6 feet. Haugh said last weekend was the worst because of high winds.

Haugh estimated it'll take another two weeks before everything is cleaned up. Even though he hasn't had a day off in two weeks, he's gone longer without a break.

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Andy Burnham, development services director, said the Carson City snow crew has also been working 12-hour shifts without time off for two weeks.

"And I can tell you, they are starting to get tired," he said.

Carson City contracted with private companies Saturday to help remove the 14 to 18 inches of snow that fell this weekend.

Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

APPROACHING STORM

• A winter-storm warning is in effect until 4 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service. Snow is predicted to be heavy until this morning. Additional snow accumulation of 8 to 14 inches is expected on all valley floors. In higher elevations, 12 to 20 inches is expected to fall by this afternoon. Partly-cloudy conditions are predicted for the rest of the week.

• Andy Burnham, Carson City development services director, said the traffic lights on Carson Street were flashing Saturday and Sunday because many were obscured by snow. The sheriff and the Nevada Highway Patrol wanted drivers to slow down. Saturday night, Carson City had a power outage, which caused the corruption of the software program that operates traffic lights. All the traffic lights were manually switched back into rotation, which took until late Sunday night.

• Mail delivery was suspended Saturday for many Carson City residents. Local Postmaster Doug Hval said only about 40 percent of residences received delivery Saturday. Mail carriers delivered as usual on Monday. He said the public can help by clearing snow from mailbox approaches. Anyone who hasn't received mail can go to the post office station where his or her mail is served from.

What about schools TOday?

• Carson City: A decision about school closings will be made this morning. Listen to media sources for updated information. The school district's main number is 283-2100.

• Storey County: The school district's transportation department has a recorded update available. Call 847-0942.

• Lyon County: Listen to radio stations, such as KNLV in Fallon and KPTL in Carson City. The school district number is (775) 463-6800.

CANCELLATION

Carson-Tahoe Hospital's Wellness Fair has been cancelled for today. To reschedule appointments, call 885-4121.