How well did the Oklahoma Department of Transportation do with this week's winter storm?

Thursday, December 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The roads are starting to clear up after snow and ice hit northeast Oklahoma. Now motorists are grading the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on how it handled the storm. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan has the story.

Driver: "They were a lot better this year than last year.â€ The people who drive the roads around Tulsa noticed a big difference after this week's snow and ice. Driver: "Lots better, lots better 10 times better than last year I didn't even think they got out.â€

Last year - a faster and heavier snowfall overwhelmed state contractor VMS - the roads were snow packed a full week after one storm. This year a new contractor took over and the state is happy so far. Martin Stewart with ODOT, "We're pleased with the new contractor they did a pretty good job." The standard is generally for the roads to be clear 24 hours after a storm - most drivers think the new company passed the test.

Driver: "Very good, excellent, we're traveling fine." Driver: "Last year I had to stay home two or three days, this year is much better." But this first storm of the year was much less severe than those severe storms last year. News on Six meteorologist James Aydellot: "We had warm ground temperatures that kept the main roads and streets good but bridges and overpasses are up so they were bad, and if get sun and traffic, that mixed together with the material the road crews use makes the road conditions much better than last year."

There were a number of accidents on the Broken Arrow Expressway, especially in the construction zone.

Some bridges on US Highway 169 had problems - but overall ODOT - and drivers seem much happier with road crews this year.