Plows and commuters get ready for storm

Wallingford, Conn. (WTNH) - The brine is down, the trucks are staged and the Department of Transportation [DOT] is ready to roll ahead of Wednesday's storm.

Even before a single flake has fallen, the snow has an impact on some schools, and businesses have delayed openings or are closed.

It seems everyone has a strategy in preparing for the "white stuff." Wallingford plow driver, Bob O'Connor, has doubled his inventory.

"We got a snow plower, gasoline, spare tires and two people with a plow and a brand new blade on the front of it," O'Connor said.

The State DOT will be running over 600 plows with the priority being highways like 91 and 95. The strategy: to rely in part on the pre-treatment; the thin lines you already see on the multi-lane highways.

The pre-treatment is a saline solution helping to melt the snow when it first hits the road and is crucial when a storm hits during the morning.

"It definitely helps us in that way," plow driver Mark Lalla said. "It will 'wetten up' the road and give us time to make another pass around."

For drivers, a "stay safe" strategy is putting on new windshield wipers and pumping gas.

"I'm filling up my car because if we get the kind of snow they're talking about, I don't want to be left with a quarter tank," said Dianne Daniels.

Plow drivers say prior to snow, they are going to get some shut eye.

Cox: "What is your strategy?"
O'Connor: "My strategy? To get as much sleep as possible before 4 a.m. because after 4 a.m. all best are off and we have to get out and plow."  

News Channel 8 will also be up at 4 a.m. with LIVE updates; click here for cancellations and delays.