Street crews have been pre-treating and cleaning local streets since Saturday night and, although people are advised to leave their homes only if necessary, the roadways are mostly clear in the area.

Snow covered street / Photo by Roger Starkey

The snow routes and major routes in Caseyville are currently clear, and the hills de-iced, Director of Public Works Brian Rader said. The side roads should be clear by midday, as long as the sun cooperates. “If nature helps out, we’ll be OK,” Rader said. The crews have been working continuously since 2 a.m. Sunday.

Collinsville Director of Streets Rod Cheatham said all major routes are open and all streets in the city will be clear by 11 a.m. The low temperatures are making it difficult, however, for any of the packed snow and ice cover to melt. In order for ice and snow to melt, calcium chloride has to be added to the salt used to treat roads as soon as the temperature reaches into the teens.

“That mixture stops working at a certain temperature, and we’ve reached it,” Cheatam said. Morning temperatures in the area were about -4.

The crews in Collinsville began pre-treating roads at 10 p.m. Saturday night and have been clearing the streets continuously since 7 a.m. Sunday. They will work throughout the day Monday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is reporting snow and ice cover on all major interstates. The Metro Independent was unable to reach anyone with the Village of Maryville for this story.