LEELANAU COUNTY— An ice storm that coated roads across Leelanau County early in the morning prompted county road crews to begin monitoring conditions hours before sunrise, as freezing rain made travel difficult in hilly and curved areas.
Brendan Mullane, who works with Leelanau County road operations, said crews began checking road conditions around 3:30 a.m.
“That’s the only way to know for sure, is actually look at it,” Mullane said. “Anybody who lives around the lake knows predictions change quite a bit.”
Mullane said the first county truck left the Suttons Bay base at 5 a.m. after supervisors patrolled roads to assess conditions. While the day was technically a normal workday, he said winter weather requires crews to remain ready every day, including weekends and holidays.
“Weather doesn’t really care what our plans are,” Mullane said. “We’ve got to be ready.”
The ice storm created conditions that were more hazardous than typical snowfall, Mullane said, particularly in an area with frequent hills and curves.
“With snow, you get traction,” he said. “But a sheet of ice from freezing rain — you just can’t contend with it. You can’t get up hills, around corners or anything.”
Mullane said even county trucks slid in the icy conditions, adding that some newer drivers gained experience navigating difficult roads.
To address the ice, Leelanau County adjusted its road treatment mixture. Mullane said the county typically uses a five-to-one sand-and-salt mix, but on this day crews used a 50-50 blend.
“We call it a hotter mix,” Mullane said. “More salt reacts faster and helps break up the ice.”
Mullane said forecasts suggested temperatures would warm and that icing appeared to be ending for the time being. Night crews were scheduled to monitor conditions later, with patrollers expected back on the roads around 3 a.m. the following morning.
He said keeping roads passable is especially important for emergency vehicles.
“We need fire trucks to get where they need to go — ambulances, police,” Mullane said. “You’ve got to get out there.”
Mullane also praised the county’s drivers for reporting to work despite dangerous conditions.
“They showed up when called,” Mullane said. “It was icy for them on the way in, and icy for them driving today. They handled it excellently, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”