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After weeks of mild weather interspersed with cold spells, forecasters' predictions of more-seasonable winter weather bringing snow and ice came true Monday morning.
The arrival of winter weather had plow drivers hitting the road, but this year, fewer CDL-licensed drivers are available to take the wheel of the seasonal job and residents are urged to have patience as plowing may take longer in some areas.
The American Trucking Association expected a record high shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers this year, not including drivers for school buses, public transportation and snow plows, according to a recent Associated Press article.
What that means for Blair and surrounding counties is that PennDOT and local municipalities are hiring but also making plans to get the work done with fewer drivers.
Monica Jones, PennDOT District 9 safety press officer, said staffing levels in Blair County are similar to last year.
"PennDOT has seen a relatively steady decline over the past several years in the CDL operators applying for the temporary winter operator positions, which is consistent with what other industries that hire CDL drivers are seeing," Jones said in an email.
Between full-time drivers and the hired temporary drivers, Jones said PennDOT has the ability to adjust snow plow routes and shifts to cover in a storm situation.
Richard Brantner Jr., Martinsburg Borough manager, said the borough is doing fine when it comes to snow plow driver availability and he doesn't expect any difficulties in keeping the roads passable this winter.
Logan Township Manager Tim Brown said the township does not employ part-time/seasonal snow plow drivers, so the township is not experiencing a shortage, either.
But Nathan Kissell, Altoona Public Works director, said the city usually hires four part-time winter workers and has been unsuccessful in hiring seasonal help this year.
"These positions are in high demand across the nation and, unfortunately, lower wages and only part-time work aren't high enough to attract those who have full-time work elsewhere," Kissell said. "In the past, we have also been successful hiring individuals who have worked at seasonal jobs such as construction or landscape, but it seems that this work is also in high demand and has become more year-round work."
Kissell noted that Altoona hires college students for part-time work in the summer but also had unfilled vacancies this past year.
The lack of additional help does have an impact on "not dramatically, but certainly some" of the overall service the department provides, Kissell said.
"Maybe it takes 15 hours versus 12 hours to clear roads in an area or a property gets maintained every eight days versus every five days," he said. "As with anything, public opinion helps to drive any sector. If the level of service stays above a tolerable action threshold, the operation typically runs as is. But if it drops below the threshold, action may be taken depending on the outcry from the public."
Kissell said some potential solutions may not be popular, like raising taxes to support staff changes or discontinuing other city functions.
"It's a real balancing act for our elected officials and city manager," he said. "I have every confidence that even with the shortage of staff, the dedication of our full-time public works folks will help make sure that the city is maintained as best as possible."
Municipalities are trying to hire additional help, and PennDOT, too, continues to take applications.
The Blair County Maintenance Department held a fall recruitment event where Jones said a number of new drivers were hired. but the department is still searching for qualified candidates. Jones said PennDOT's primary goal is to keep roads passable and safe and said drivers need patience this winter.
The average snow plow route is 40 miles long and can take anywhere from two to several hours for a plow to pass the same point under ideal conditions, Jones said.
The PennDOT website recommends that motorists help snow plow drivers by staying off roads unless they have to travel. Snow plow drivers work in "tough weather conditions that can wreak havoc even against the best-laid plans," the website states.
Kissell praised the plow drivers that are behind the wheel for their dedication during winter conditions.
"You don't typically think of these folks as 'traditional' first responders, but they truly are. Without these folks in extreme weather events, vehicles can't move, businesses can't open, public transportation can't run," Kissell said. "We have some of the most dedicated employees in Blair County."