While many people woke up last week to a white landscape, others had already been working for hours. Night after night. In all weather conditions. Ice and snow control is a task that is usually invisible until it is really needed. And it was needed. Ice, snow, and persistent slipperiness created an exceptional situation in Drenthe.
Eelco Tukker worked that week as Coordinator of Ice and Snow Control and was busy day and night with the weather, the roads, and everything involved. “It was intense,” he says calmly. “But exactly what you do this work for.”
He did this work together with colleagues Imke Boerema and Jesse de Klerk. The three of them formed the coordinating team that continuously kept an overview and made decisions last week. Especially at night, a large part of that responsibility lay with Imke and Jesse, while the ice and snow control continued unabated.
Preparation and readiness
The province of Drenthe is responsible for ice and snow control on provincial roads. Eelco ensures that the organization behind it is in order. “That starts well before winter. Contracts with contractors, agreements with the weather bureau, cooperation with other road managers. When the winter season starts, everything must be ready.”
Between October 15 and April 15, Eelco and three colleagues take on on-call duties. One week long, 24 hours a day. “You continuously monitor the weather. We have a weather bureau that thinks along and warns when things get tense. Sometimes that also means setting the alarm clock several times at night. That comes with the job.”
Outside in weather and wind
At the same time, a lot got going. “What really stuck with me is how many people wanted to help. Contractors, contractors with machinery, other parties. Even people from very different sectors offered equipment. Internally, colleagues jumped in just as hard. Communication, facilities, lawyers: everyone was ready. That’s when you notice how important cooperation is.”
A key role was reserved for the road maintenance workers. “Without them, this would not have succeeded,” Eelco says without hesitation. “Normally they are on call, but this week we needed 100 percent staffing. People worked night shifts and were almost continuously outside.”
The road maintenance workers literally stood along the road, in snow, wind, and cold. “While we were busy coordinating and aligning at the front, they did the work outside. That is physically demanding and requires a lot from people, especially when it continues for days in a row.”
What touched Eelco most was their flexibility. “People postponed private appointments, worked extra shifts, and just took it on. Without discussion. Many people only see the end result: a passable road. But behind that is craftsmanship, perseverance, and teamwork.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the winter
Meanwhile, everything is running again according to the normal schedule. But looking ahead never stops. “We immediately started replenishing the stocks. Thousands of tons of salt are arriving and all storage locations are being refilled. You want that at the beginning of winter, but also to recover as quickly as possible in between.”
For Eelco, one thing is clear. “Between October 15 and April 15, there are always people on standby here. Much of that work happens invisibly. But if needed, everyone is there. That’s what this week was about for me.”
Viewing tip
Also nice to watch: in an earlier episode of On the Road With we already visited Eelco. In that video, an extra behind-the-scenes look is shown and step-by-step explanation of how ice and snow control in Drenthe works. From monitoring the weather and making spreading plans to the work outside on the road. A nice addition for those curious about what all is involved in ‘just spreading’.