It's fierce, relentless and can chew through two snow-covered lanes at once. Winter, meet the Tow Plow. The Ohio Department of Transportation turned to the monstrous machine, which is towed behind a plow truck, to help keep up with the more than 18 feet of snow that fell on Ashtabula County last winter. This year, ODOT will also use the machine in District 12, which covers Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties, to help keep Lake County's portion of I-90 clear. Here are some of the numbers behind ODOT's annual battle on the frontlines of the snowbelt.
80,000
Amount of salt ODOT used in District 12 last winter, in tons
280 GALLONS
The amount of salt brine or calcium the Tow Plow can carry
87
Number of vehicles in ODOT's District 12 snowplow fleet
400
Number of lane miles ODOT is responsible for in Lake County
2,644
Number of lane miles ODOT is responsible for in District 12
729,000 tons of salt
Amount ODOT used in all of Ohio last winter
81,000
Cost of one Tow Plow
26 FEET
Length of Tow Plow
217 INCHES
Of snow fell on Ashtabula County last winter.
65 INCHES
Of snow Lake County receives during an average winter
The Tow Plow's tank holds 10 TONS of salt
A shift is 12 HOURS long for ODOT District 12 plow drivers during the worst winter storms.
