The highway department was overprepared for bad weather — and that’s a good thing

Last night, the local newscasts were filled with foreboding about a.m. nightmares today, due to a major snowstorm slated to hit the metro area after midnight. Turns out those predictions were premature: During my 23-minute commute this morning, which began at 5:51 a.m., I saw nary a flake. However, I did spot a snowplow driving down 6th Avenue, lights flashing. Wasted resources? Not in my view. In recent years, the biggest commuting catastrophes have come as a result of crews not being ready for snow, which allowed situations to spiral out of control. I’d rather know that plows are in place ahead of forecasted problems than to have them arrive after the rush hour has been transformed into a still life. — Michael Roberts