Monday's snow provides opportunity for storm response test run

TULSA - Crews were out early Monday morning making sure roads were safe after the first snow of 2012.

After 1.2 inches of powdery accumulation in Tulsa, roads were wet and slushy but remained passable.

The record-setting blizzard of 2011 led city officials to think hard about how to prepare for the winter weather season.  So, how'd they do?

The first round of snow came early in the morning, sending road crews to work laying salt and sand.

In anticipation of the season, the city added seven new spreaders and five new plows to its collection of equipment, though travel problems were limited with this storm. 

Officials said the slickest part of the city was near I-244 and Highway 169.

Monday's snow amounted to somewhat of a test run for the city, allowing crews to practice their storm response.

"Well, it kind of helps just to have something small like this to come in, because no matter how much you try to prep for this stuff you still have a few bugs to work out," said Tim McCorkell, city of Tulsa street maintenance manager.  "You may have a few little mechanical problems and stuff but for the most part we looked really good on this one."

McCorkell says road crews will be out for most of the day monitoring conditions.

If the wet roads freeze overnight workers will continue spreading salt Tuesday.