City transportation leaders prep for winter weather

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Charlotte's Department of Transportation is making sure it’s ready for winter, just after a freak snowstorm hit the Northeast.

Tara Pretty doesn't even want to hear the word snow after she spun out during a storm last year.

“Everybody was going 35 mph and I happened to hit the brake at a wrong spot, and I did a whole 360,” Pretty said. “It was mind-blowing.”

Barney Clay is one of many people who are trying to keep that from happening to you. He took Channel 9 around his truck to show everything he has to check before it's storm-ready.

“(I’ve) got to make sure everything is greased up and that the electrical connection lines are functioning properly,” Clay said.

Street Superintendent Ken Martin said the city has the salt, the brine and the money. But the wild card is the time. Last winter, which was considered mild, still lasted into March.

“You get exhausted,” Martin said. “You worry about that because fatigue and putting guys behind the wheel of these trucks -- it's tough on them.”

And one thing they can't plow through is the frustration.

“We shut down. Charlotte shuts down for a little bit of snow,” Pretty said.

DOT leaders said it’s been about 10 years since the area has seen a really big storm, but whether the area sees a dusting or 10 inches, it's the length of the season that makes the difference.

WSOC