DES MOINES, Iowa — The first day of fall was just this last Sunday, but the Iowa Department of Transportation works year round to prepare for the incoming winter weather.

“So many tasks are being handled during the summer, spring and summer months,” said Craig Bargfrede, the Winter Operations Administrator for Iowa DOT. “Getting materials, contracts in place. Finishing the filling of our sheds as we come out of last winter.”

Bargfrede said the busiest time for department workers is not during the winter when the upkeep of roads keeps crews working long hours; it’s every other month outside of it.

“I have 265,000 tons of salt, approximately, sitting on the ground in one of our one hundred garages and offsites, which is about 109% capacity. So going into the winter season we’re at a very good position for materials,” said Bargfrede.

With the last winter being milder than most, the department had extra money in the budget. With those dollars the top priority becomes filling all salt capacity in the state.

Also during the offseason, maintenance on trucks and other equipment is vital, along with training new drivers. The DOT has used a simulator for drivers to get them mentally prepared for what it will be like out on the roads during a storm.

The simulator is currently in Storm Lake training staff up there. The simulator is in a large trailer that moves around the state to different DOT buildings and trains four workers at a time.

All the prep work for the department will be done by October 15. That is the official start of winter, and the date might seem early, but it’s necessary so the department is prepared for an early snow storm.

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