Winter Roads in rural NY (Ithaca, Cortland: maintenance, live, vs.)

[NJbear]

Hi,

I've spent a lot of time in each of these areas, including during winter weather, but would like to get some resident's comments on road conditions in rural areas (i.e., not talking about downtown Ithaca or Oneonta, etc.) of the general Sullivan/ Delaware/Chenango/ Otsego/Cortland/Tompkins county region. Just would be interested in hearing what some locals have to say regarding frequency of truly slippery roads (i.e., icy or a slick layer of slush underlying some snow- as frequently happens here in NJ when they salt but then allow several inches of snow to accumulate on it before plowing) that are a cause of concern even for a seasoned winter driver with good techniques and a good vehicle with good tires? or of snow depths/blowing/drifting to a point that travel becomes questionable or challenging? Commentary on state vs. county vs. town roads also of interest as there is obviously a difference in the level of maintenance provided between NYSDOT on an interstate vs. unpaved road maintained by the town etc.

As I said I've spent quite a bit of time in these areas in winter including storms/LE and never encountered anything that I didn't feel perfectly comfortable driving in as far as depth of snow or slippery conditions, but would like to hear some residents' feedback on how often these types of conditions actually occur in this region. My experience is that NY highway depts and NYSDOT are by far the best in terms of winter road maintenance, but still there must be times when it gets bad for a couple hours when the snow is heavy and drifting or before they get out to treat slippery conditions.

Thanks

[ki0eh]

Having lived both there and away I would say things are typically better on NY county and town roads than even in nearby PA. In NY they know that you need to actually plow the road before the snow gets beaten down to ice. (Or, perhaps more fairly, they know from long experience that you need to have enough equipment and crews to do that.)

Watch out for the sign "seasonal limited use highway" though, or for the bump at the end of the road where that sign used to be that means "not plowed or sanded" in NY bureaucratic speak.

Drifting snow can sometimes get ahead of the road crews even in NY, watch out for roads wide open to the northwest or west.

[NJbear]

Thanks, yes I would agree with what you said ki0eh! Basically looking for info from locals on their experiences with how frequently or infrequently it gets "bad". You know, worrying if your tires will break loose even just creeping down a steep hill, encountering enough snow depth/drifting that busting through starts to become questionable, or having to keep speeds extremely low for extended periods even on level to moderate terrain. Also would be interested in commentary on experiences with some of the hilly terrain.

[mels]

I have much winter experience driving in Chenango/Delaware Counties and feel that they usually do a good job keeping up with road conditions. The worst driving conditions I encountered in the area were on I-88 last year. On a Sunday afternoon there were no plows in sight and blowing snow was a problem. That was a slow ride.