'Everyone loves the plow man': A ride-along with the Washtenaw County Road Commission
Dan Clark has been a plow driver with the Washtenaw County Road Commission since 2005. He spent Wednesday plowing roads in the aftermath of a winter storm Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
James David Dickson | AnnArbor.com
A man in a blue Ford F-150 finds himself staring at the orange, hulking tandem axle dump truck next to him while sitting at a traffic light at I-94 and State Street on the south side of Ann Arbor. He's captivated, above all, by the truck's bigness, but the spell is broken when he makes eye contact with the driver of the orange hulk, and he dips his eyes and drives off.
"Truck envy," laughs Dan Clark, a plow driver for the Washtenaw County Road Commission who along with dozens of his fellow workers spent Wednesday plowing county roads following the overnight winter storm.
Clark sees plenty of truck envy and even feels some of himself, when, for instance, an 18-wheeler passes him by or on the rarest of occasions when Orange Hulk gets stuck in the snow and he has to call in an even bigger hulk to wrest it free.
Clark, who hails from Grass Lake, has been a plow driver for the Road Commission since 2005. As a child he was always fascinated by trucks — pickup trucks, dump trucks, monster trucks, Tonka trucks, the bigger the better — and so to drive one of the very biggest trucks around Washtenaw County while clearing the roads people rely on for safe travel is the fulfillment of a boyhood dream.
When AnnArbor.com met Clark at the Park & Ride Lot at Ann Arbor-Saline Road and I-94 on Wednesday morning, he had driven upwards of 730 miles in just the last two days, plowing a few specific areas in Washtenaw County. Clark is responsible for I-94 between State Street and Zeeb Road, between exits 169 and 177, in both directions. He also plows a neighborhood in Ypsilanti Township. The Washtenaw County Road Commission clears some 1,649 miles of county roads and state trunklines, such as I-94, and M-14.
State roads and interstates are the highest priority, then paved primary county roads like North Territorial and Carpenter, then local paved roads on down to lowest-priority gravel roads, which comprise some 760 miles, said Jim Harmon, director of operations for the road commission.
The Washtenaw County Road Commission operates some 48 tandem axle plow trucks, 46 of which it uses regularly, with two more as backups. Clark said he chose truck No. 348 because it contains the number 48 worn by his favorite NASCAR driver, Jimmie Johnson, winner of an unprecedented five straight Sprint Cup titles.
If Wednesday had been a normal winter day, without a major snowfall, Clark said he would've worked his normal 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. shift, probably filling potholes or doing maintenance work on truck no. 348.
"She was new when I got her," Clark said. "She's been good to me and I want to keep her running long as I can."
As it was, Clark woke up at 3 a.m. and was out plowing roads for the county by 4, the start time for major snow events. Clark's boss, Harmon, pulled in at the same time as Clark, and both won't be headed back home until after 8 p.m. Then they'll be back up and back at it again in the morning.
Washtenaw County uses between 15,000 and 20,000 tons of salt, and between 5,000 and 10,000 tons of sand in a typical winter, according to the road commission's website. Harmon said the agency is "on schedule" for this point in the winter, in terms salt and sand usage.
Both Harmon and Clark said they were expecting a much bigger storm than the one that left about 6 inches of snow by 7 a.m. Wednesday at the University of Michigan's official weather station on North Campus. People were calling it Snoprah and SNOtorious B.I.G., it was supposed to be such a big hit. Projections put the blizzard at a foot of snow or more, but Harmon said only 4 to 8 inches had fallen in the county, varying by location. The lack of blizzard winds helped the road commission's work go more quickly than expected.
The storm's failure to live up to the hype came as no disappointment to Clark. That schools closed and drivers elected to stay home — traffic on I-94 westbound at noon was about as scarce as it is at 2 or 3 in the morning, Clark noted — came as a relief to the man who will spend all day plowing roads.
"I get a lot more done, a lot quicker, when the roads are kind of empty, like this" Clark said. Crowded freeways and cars abandoned on the shoulder can make the I-94 portion of Clark's job tougher.
In neighborhoods, the snow can sometimes get so high that Orange Hulk has a tough time passing through. Other times people will park their cars on the street, rather than in their empty driveway.
This can limit how thorough a plow that part of the street gets. Clark joked that some people park in the street to spite the Road Commission trucks, which, he admits, can stack snow pretty high at the foot of driveways in the course of clearing the road.
"I'd probably be mad too," he said, "if I had been out shoveling, but at least (after I plow) you can drive on the road."
On the freeways and occasionally in neighborhoods, Clark said, "I'll get people wanting to tell me I'm no. 1," referring to an obscene gesture, but there was little other than appreciation and the occasional touch of truck envy in the air on the morning of the Blizzard That Wasn't.
Men gave thumbs-up signals and women flashed big smiles as Orange Hulk passed a subdivision near the Meijer store on Ann Arbor-Saline Road on the south side of Ann Arbor. Just about every kid the hulk passed raised a fist above his head and cranked it down, the universal kid signal for a truck driver to honk his horn, which Clark was more than happy to oblige.
"Everyone's happy to see the snow plow man come through on a day like this," he said.
James David Dickson can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com
Comments
John B.
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
jcj had it right (and still does): "I can't believe that there are some that do not understand you can not work these drivers 24 hrs a day! And do you have any idea what the morning rush would be like if they did not have the full crew available for the 3-5 hours before the morning rush? How about you outline what would be the best use of the manpower. How many hours should each driver work and what hours during the day would you have them work? Seriously. "The Washtenaw County Road Commission operates some 48 tandem axle plow trucks," Now tell us how, when and where they should be deployed."
Sallyxyz
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
jcj writes: "Nacho You are partly correct. The road commission has their full daytime crew out until 8pm. Then they have a crew of 4 out from 8pm until 4 am. Then the day crew comes back at 4am to try to have the roads ready for the morning rush. Now I suppose the could work the day crew until midnight so the masses that get off at 11pm would have clean roads to drive home on. Or they could just have the crews work 20 hours straight instead of 16 so YOU could have nice roads to drive home on!" The crews should be scheduled for the storm conditions. Having a crew of only 4 out from 8 pm - 4 am on Tuesday night after 6" of snow fell, was not enough. All day Tuesday was clear. Little plowing was needed. Also, starting at 4 am is too late for the morning rush hour, which is in full swing by 5:30 - 6 am. There is no way they can clear all the highways in 2 hours, starting a 4 am, after snow during the evening. Once again, the scheduling needs to be flexible and needs to depend on the snowfall, when it comes and how much. More snow should = more crew and trucks regardless of the day and time. Other cities use workers that normally do other jobs to help out with snow removal when there is a big storm or significant snowfall. Someone else on this thread suggested bringing back retired drivers when there is a higher need for crews, or when regular crews need a rest. That sounds like a good idea and would cut down on paying big OT wages.
snowbunny
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 10:57 p.m.
Sallyzyz if you have all these plans how about going to a meeting?
snowbunny
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
how do you know how much are ot wages, have you ever snowed plowed before.? The reason why they want to retire is to get away from doing this, after 25- 30 plus years.
jns131
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
As people look up at those big orange trucks? I have noticed people eye those big yellow buses too. Same thing, different venue. Yes, I too would love to get behind the wheel of one of those things. Love watching them clear our street with gusto. Jobs well done.
clownfish
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
As usual, ERMGO has hit the nail on the head. Many of the same people that complain about taxes being too high are the same ones complaining that we need MORE trucks, more people plowing so they do not experience any amount of inconvenience a couple of times a year. The plow crews and their support staff do a tremendous job! If you think you can do better, hire on, either as a driver or in the administration. Or, if you are upset with Michigan's "abuse of the tax payer" , move. I am sure many places with limited govt would be happy to take you. Sudan needs smart folks, as do Iraq, Afghanistan, Democratic republic of Congo, Uganda. All of these places have limited govt and operate with few constraints on The Market.
John B.
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
Agreed!!! Thanks for summarizing things so well.
Tony
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 6:53 a.m.
DRIVING A SALT TRUCK HAS IT"S PERKS.. but in Wayne county DETROIT it's not so much fun....you have your spreader on and folks still ride up on you ..then got the nerve to cry about the salt hitting them hahahaha I use to hit the BLAST buton on these fools..... at night your trying to do the job and some bozos on the streets want to throw stuff at you or even shoot at the truck because your on their turf and they are trying to sell dope.....these guys driving are the same men who drive the garbage trucks some of them come in at mid night and work till all the trash is up this could be 7 or 8 pm it's rough but when you have to rely on O T to live you do whats needed.............most are Teamster members but the union is a big joke...sorry to say Detroit treats the men like trash.............I was glad to get away!!!! 21 and out
WalkingJoe
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.
This article was about the people who do the actual work not the ones who do the scheduling. These people do fine work and should be thanked. To All the Dan Clarks Thank You!!
Jim Pryce
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
I thought the roads were alot better than usual. Good job guys & gals. I think it was also great that the media scared & overhyped this thing so people were off the roads. I left a bit earlier for work, & actually was early for work.
jcj
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:24 a.m.
@John "The roads are still unplowed in many areas, be aware the Road Commission have stopped plowing after the main roads were clear." That's right as I said before the day crew left at 8pm after 16 hours straight! Should they plow 20 hours straight while getting paid overtime? I am waiting for your plan for the 48 available trucks. I suspect you think they should concentrate on the subdivisions that might have 50 cars traveling them as opposed to the main roads that have thousands.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
More than 1600 miles of road in the county. How many more trucks would you like to purchase to clear those roads? How many more drivers do you want to employ? How much more do you want your taxes to go up to pay for it all? Oh, that's right. The government is supposed to do more while you pay less for it. Got it! Good Night and Good Luck
John
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.
I just think our government is lazy and spends to much money and does not accomplish its goals and tasks. If it was a business they would be outta business before I was even born. Imagine if we got all that snow? We would be buried for 3-7 days atleast!!! The Road Commission can't even handle 6 inches of snow when they were expecting 20 inches. Seems to me they were not even close to being prepared for the real snow, and if they could not do the side roads when we got 1/4 the amount of snow...
John
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2 a.m.
This Article should be named " Road Commission expected 15-20 inches of snow Wednesday , Although Washtenaw County only received 6 inches of snow." The roads are still unplowed in many areas, be aware the Road Commission have stopped plowing after the main roads were clear. Do not expect your neighborhood roads to be cleared any time soon . We suggest you take a snow shovel to dig out your vehicle while trying to get on these main roads from your residential streets. We will get to your residential side streets when we feel like doing it, but the odds of that happing are not very good at least that happening any time soon. Thanks, The Road Commission (not the real RC) Any questions or comments will not be read or addressed!!!
John B.
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
@John: You are wrong about the authority to plow the roads. Our sub's roads are under WCRC control, but we have a private plowing service, no problem. The WCRC is happy to approve the arrangement, because then it is less work for them! You can't afford $2.00 five or ten times a year? Baloney. As far as Taxes go, we are one of the least-taxed developed nations around. Go ask the Canadians about that (to cite just one example). As I said, as of 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the forecast was 7-12" and was quite accurate....
John
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
Well we all ready pay to have this done its called gas tax, property tax, state tax, cig tax, alcohol tax, ect... Hiring a 3rd party to take care of a problem would be a great option, So I would like to publicly fire the road commission and hire a private contractor to plow our residential roads. Can you send us the form to get our part of the Road Commission's budget refunded? Wait you gotta pay for the service even if you don't use it. hmm paying someone else to take care of work the government is supposed to do that sounds like a fantastic idea. I dunno but to me sounds stupid to pay twice for one service... Wish we could fire our local government when they can't or won't do their duties. If you pay a snow company to plow your roads you have to be in a private residence bc it is illegal for anyone besides the Road Commission to plow snow on public roads. Must be nice to be rich, but their is some poor folk out here in this world also, and everyone cant spend extra money on things that they allready pay for!!! Link that says 12 inches or more plus the 4 inches that fell Tuesday night 4ins plus 12ins is 16ins <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/blizzard-warning-issued-for-washtenaw-county-more-than-12-inches-of-snow-expected-tonight/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:f649de93-b35a-4a53-a820-4d66974eb8b0">http://www.annarbor.com/news/blizzard-warning-issued-for-washtenaw-county-more-than-12-inches-of-snow-expected-tonight/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:f649de93-b35a-4a53-a820-4d66974eb8b0</a>
John B.
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
15-20" was never forecasted or even talked about. At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the forecast was 7-12" and we got perhaps 7-8" total where I live (as of about 2 p.m. this afternoon). If you want your subdivision plowed sooner than it is prioritized, then I would suggest that you all get together in your sub and hire someone to do it. We do that where I live, and it costs a quite-reasonable $500 per plowing, which is about $2 per resident. Our sub was cleared by 7 a.m. this morning.
Dexter Kid
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
At JCJ...you are so right. Wish some readers would use a little logic and common sense before reacting. Some people are never satisfied with the government no matter what the evidence proves, and today the WCRC proved it was up to the task. After these drives have received their due rest, please continue working on the subdivisions and gravel roads
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.
Perhaps, for major snow events, to keep the roads even cleaner, and the drivers less tired, ~40 extra drivers could be temporarily hired-contracted, e.g., by the day-only as needed,to help. There are many retired plow drivers, and other CDL drivers, already qualified for this work. This way, the trucks could plow overnight, when traffic is generally lightest, thus plowing would be much more efficient, saving time and resources. Additionally, a second set of drivers would reduce the fatigue drivers currently endure. This could potentially be done at cost neutral, or even at a cost savings, since expensive overtime would be reduced dramatically.
Top Cat
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
Dan Clark....for you and your brethren....there is always hot coffee at my house while you are on the job. Thanks. Oh and maybe something a wee bit stronger when the work day is over.
jcj
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:35 a.m.
I can't believe that there are some that do not understand you can not work these drivers 24 hrs a day! And do you have any idea what the morning rush would be like if they did not have the full crew available for the 3-5 hours before the morning rush? How about you outline what would be the best use of the manpower. How many hours should each driver work and what hours during the day would you have them work? Seriously. "The Washtenaw County Road Commission operates some 48 tandem axle plow trucks," Now tell us how, when and where they should be deployed.
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.
Oy! Common sense.........whatever happened to it? I often wonder what happened to the WCRC driver who hit the overpass on US23 with the truck box a few years ago and was hurt so badly. And I wonder how long he had been driving that night. Poor guy.
John B.
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
Thank you!!!
jcj
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
Nacho You are partly correct. The road commission has their full daytime crew out until 8pm. Then they have a crew of 4 out from 8pm until 4 am. Then the day crew comes back at 4am to try to have the roads ready for the morning rush. Now I suppose the could work the day crew until midnight so the masses that get off at 11pm would have clean roads to drive home on. Or they could just have the crews work 20 hours straight instead of 16 so YOU could have nice roads to drive home on!
Sallyxyz
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
Nacho, I agree. Why did they wait until 4 am to START plowing for a storm that started at 7 pm the previous evening??? That's 9 hours after the storm started. Plenty of people had to drive home from work in terrible conditions Tuesday night. Can someone explain that for everyone? Maybe AA dot com can ask Mr. Harmon.
snowbunny
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
calender girl; at ll there was snow, freezing rain, sleet, and 4 drivers on to take care all of the roads. You did it home on roads that were being worked on..
Calendar Girl
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 5:57 a.m.
LOL John B! Didn't she just tell us last night not to go to work? If we weren't at work then why did we drive home from work on terrible roads? Can someone explain THAT to me? At least I will go to bed with a giggle. I'll be dreaming of all our WCRC drivers sleeping soundly and safely in their beds tonight after a job well done! I know I've kept the TV volume low so my U of M slowplow driver neighbor can sleep. Rest well tonight and thank you!!! Shhhhhh....
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
Fortunately there are laws regulating how long a person can drive with these trucks without a rest period. This is for the safety of the driver and the general public. No doubt they had a road crew out on the highways all night. But if they put everyone out then, no one is on the roads in the morning....or most of the day. We could hire the number of people they have in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb County but it seems we can't afford the low number we have already.
John B.
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
Ugh.... Here we go again.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
Good article! The public owes a lot to these unsung heroes like Dan Clark. The public should send e-mails to the County Board of Commissioners and Road Commission to express their appreciation for the hard work and diligence of road crew members in trying times as these.
markguy
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
Not sure who is responsible for Pittsfield township, but apparently no one. Headed to work at 8:30am this morning -- Ann Arbor streets were as clear as a bell. (Nice!) Got to Meijers on Ann Arbor Saline Road and Oak Valley Drive and Lohr were horrible, as were Venture Drive where our new offices are. Left work at 5:30pm and Venture had not been touched, just like the only other snowfall we had this Winter. Our first year on Venture. Not impressed. I want to move back to Avis Farms!
Soothslayer
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
LOL Simpsons Mr. Plow <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUMFfm2NkrU" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUMFfm2NkrU</a>
Nacho
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
So, if I read this correctly, they didn't start plowing until 4 am? That's why 94 was a complete mess at 11 pm Tuesday when I left work. I appreciate your working long hours with little thanks, maybe the administration can come up with a better strategy to keep the roads safe for all of us.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
Thanks for the suggestion, Nacho. Why don't you e-mail the Road Commission with your concerns!
Bill
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
I like certain Plow-men, but others simply bury my freshly shoveled sidewalk! Please don't do that!
InsideTheHall
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Let me add, sure would have been nice to have some one other than one of the guys from the "ol boy network" get appointed to the WCRC opening. Politics as usual in Wash. County. <a href="http://www.wcroads.org/news/articles/2011-01-25-SchwartzAnnouncement.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wcroads.org/news/articles/2011-01-25-SchwartzAnnouncement.htm</a>
Roadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
Commissioner Schwartz got defeated for re-election to the Board of Commissioners so the Dems on the Commission were not going to have him hung out to dry, so he got the Road Commission vacancy as a consolation prize.
Michael O
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
Miller/Maple area would sure be happy to see Mr.Clark...
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
That's a city of A2 responsibility, not the WCRC. Good Night and Good Luck
InsideTheHall
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.
How about the WCRC posting on it's website when specific neighborhoods will see the plow?
Cash
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
Looking at the county map...I think that would be another full time job! I believe that they do have routes and run those routes. But I'm betting it is next to impossible to know how long it takes to do one area before they move to another area. Their territory is HUGE.
Cash
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
James, THANK YOU! This is exactly what i was asking to see. I love you guys! You are very responsive and I appreciate that. I have not seen your articles before, so if you are new, welcome! And if not, I'm sorry I'm not observant. LOL The Orange Hulk is always welcomed in my neighborhood. These guys work some incredibly long hours and trying to stay awake has to be tough sometimes. Thanks to Mr Clark and all of his coworkers. Like all of us, you are doing the best you can with the resources provided. Be safe.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
Your comments are appreciated, Cash!
WTF
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
The Washtenaw County Road Commission was well prepared for this storm and executed their clean up plan exceptionally well. The snowplow operators and the operations division deserve credit. The roads are generally safe and clear for drivers using reasonable caution.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
No argument from me!