Christmas for most of us means spending time with friends and family. NBC5 tagged along with a VTrans plow driver, Kevin McPhee, as he cleared the roads on Christmas, making it safe for people to get to where they want to be. McPhee knows the stretch of Interstate 91 running through White River Junction like the back of his hand. He’s one of dozens of plow drives that is working on Christmas. “Because I’ve been doing this for 20 years I’ve been in for a lot of Christmases and a lot of New Years and a lot of other holidays as well,” McPhee, said.He was plowing since 6:15 Christmas morning and because of the frozen rain, he had a late night.“It’s all part of the job,” McPhee, said.McPhee’s family is understanding. “Oh yeah. They all understand that I’m out here doing something to make sure that they can make it to the store if they want to,” McPhee, said. “Or whatever they plan on doing that day.”He just shifts things around.“I’ve always been flexible because of my job to do Christmas the day before or the day after if we have to,” said McPhee.The day typically starts with an inspection of his truck.”I look in, I see my springs, make sure I got nothing that’s cracked or broken just because if they’re broke you want to get them replaced as soon as possible,” McPhee said.He then loads the dump truck with salt. When he’s alone he’s listening to tunes.“I do 80’s rock or 80’s country,” McPhee said.He has two recommendations for drivers this time of year to stay on the road and out of ditches. First being to buy better tires.“Do not buy an all-season tire. When you live up in this area you should be buying a strictly winter tire,” McPhee said.Secondly, he continues, “definitely drive accordingly to the conditions of the road. Which means slow down and get there a few minutes later. But get there.”Crews will be out making sure roads are cleared for holiday travels.
Christmas for most of us means spending time with friends and family. NBC5 tagged along with a VTrans plow driver, Kevin McPhee, as he cleared the roads on Christmas, making it safe for people to get to where they want to be.
McPhee knows the stretch of Interstate 91 running through White River Junction like the back of his hand. He’s one of dozens of plow drives that is working on Christmas.
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“Because I’ve been doing this for 20 years I’ve been in for a lot of Christmases and a lot of New Years and a lot of other holidays as well,” McPhee, said.
He was plowing since 6:15 Christmas morning and because of the frozen rain, he had a late night.
“It’s all part of the job,” McPhee, said.
McPhee’s family is understanding.
“Oh yeah. They all understand that I’m out here doing something to make sure that they can make it to the store if they want to,” McPhee, said. “Or whatever they plan on doing that day.”
He just shifts things around.
“I’ve always been flexible because of my job to do Christmas the day before or the day after if we have to,” said McPhee.
The day typically starts with an inspection of his truck.
“I look in, I see my springs, make sure I got nothing that’s cracked or broken just because if they’re broke you want to get them replaced as soon as possible,” McPhee said.
He then loads the dump truck with salt. When he’s alone he’s listening to tunes.
“I do 80’s rock or 80’s country,” McPhee said.
He has two recommendations for drivers this time of year to stay on the road and out of ditches. First being to buy better tires.
“Do not buy an all-season tire. When you live up in this area you should be buying a strictly winter tire,” McPhee said.
Secondly, he continues, “definitely drive accordingly to the conditions of the road. Which means slow down and get there a few minutes later. But get there.”
Crews will be out making sure roads are cleared for holiday travels.
