PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The South Dakota Transportation Commission approved the 2023-23 winter maintenance plan Thursday for the Department of Transportation.  Operations Director Craig Smith says the plan helps them keep roads safer in the winter.

Smith says last year’s winter cost the D-O-T a lot more than usual.

The Department spent seven-million dollars on salt last year while a typical year only two-and-a-half to three-million dollars is needed.  Smith says while turn-over in maintenance staff is a concern they are sitting good on staffing.

Smith says the Department is working hard to continue finding ways to communicate road conditions to the public through social media and the sd511.org website.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation is gearing up for another season of keeping South Dakota road clear of snow and ice.  Operations Director Craig Smith says the state has 23 tow plow units and probably won’t add more.

South Dakota has just under 400 snow plows across the state and 360 full-time staff to run the trucks with some part-time and reserve drivers on standby for big events.  Smith say nearly every truck is equipped with a system to efficiently treat roads with materials.

Other states are also experimenting with the M-D-S-S system.

Smith part of the program is exploring how well the M-D-S-S performs and making adjustments from there.

South Dakota has just under 400 snow plows across the state and 360 full-time staff to run the trucks with some part-time and reserve drivers on standby for big events.