Northeast Iowa braces for first winter storm as crews prepare roads

WATERLOO, Iowa — The roads in Northeast Iowa are expected to become slick and snowy this week as the first winter storm of the season approaches. The wet weather could affect how crews prepare the streets.

Transportation and road crews are on standby, ready to tackle the incoming storm, which is expected just in time for late-night Black Friday shopping.

Matt Boquist, director of the Waterloo Street Department, discussed the preparations being made.

"Definitely pre-treating the roads with some salt brine would be beneficial," Boquist said. "It's kind of in that window Wednesday to Saturday. It should stick around that long but traffic can also wear it away. That will help with the bonding to the ice and the snow to the road."

Boquist noted that the street department will not use granul