Week Start: 178 Snow Removal Vehicles on Federal and State Roads - Thuringia braces for winter with massive gritting and snow-clearing operations
Thuringia has ramped up preparations for winter as heavy snow and icy roads create hazardous driving conditions. Authorities have stockpiled nearly 75,100 tons of gritting salt and deployed hundreds of vehicles to keep roads clear. Motorists are being urged to take extra care while travelling in the coming weeks.
The state has stored 1.9 million litres of brine for de-icing, alongside 75,100 tons of gritting salt—enough to fill storage capacities of around 98,100 tons. To tackle snow and ice, 178 snowplows and gritting trucks have been sent out across federal and state highways. Priority is being given to motorways, major federal roads, and essential state routes.
Local councils are handling snow clearance within towns and cities, while 183 winter service vehicles focus on state-managed roads. An additional 236 kilometres of snow fences have been installed along vulnerable road sections to prevent drifting. For drivers facing steep or slippery areas, 851 self-service grit bins are available. Despite these efforts, the Thuringian Transport Association has criticised the winter service response, calling for faster action amid dangerous conditions. In Gotha, Stadtwirtschaft Gotha GmbH (Stawigo) is overseeing operations, with Valentin Inochentsy leading waste management, street cleaning, and winter services, while Tobias Lerp coordinates road maintenance and gritting.
With nearly 1.9 million litres of brine and thousands of tons of salt ready, Thuringia aims to keep roads passable during winter. The deployment of snowplows, grit bins, and snow fences forms part of a wider strategy to reduce disruptions. However, drivers are still advised to exercise caution as conditions remain challenging.
