INDOT crews review equipment in advance of winter weather (INDOT photo)

LAUD, Ind. (WOWO): Indiana Department of Transportation crews around the state continue to prepare for the upcoming winter.

Drivers like those at the INDOT barn in Laud are running their snow plows and other equipment through inspection. Greg Rostochak is the foreman at the center south of Columbia City. He says it’s a bumper-to-bumper review like an annual doctor’s check-up.

Lights and the electrical system. The engine. The actual snow plow and salt spreaders. A weak weld to repair. A hydraulic line. A tire that’s seen better days.

There’s a lot to consider in sub-zero conditions in the middle of the night.

If it can go wrong during the harshest of winter conditions, they’ll be checking it. Once snow falls and ice hits they’ll likely be running the trucks non-stop 12 hours at time. It’s preventative maintenance that goes a long way to limit issues…issues that could directly impact public safety.

Inspections continue through October 26 at units through northeast Indiana.