DuPage Airport Snow Removal Crew Keeps Mother Nature at Bay

DuPage County - Chicago hasn't seen much snow yet this winter, but its coming and if you are one of those people who need to have the biggest, best snow blower on the block, we have something you've got to see.

Every year the Chicago area gets snow storms that threaten to bring air travel to a standstill, but that's not the case at the DuPage Airport. That's why FOX Chicago came went out to meet their award winning snow removal crew and find out what it is that they do to keep things running.

Both Midway and O'Hare came to a stand still during last February's blizzard, but the DuPage Airport remained open.

Jeff, Mike and Matt are a part of the award winning snow removal team at the DuPage Airport. They demonstrated one of their practice runs to show what it's like to get ready for a big storm.

The equipment is stored near the runway. The plow truck always takes the lead followed by the broom and the snow blower. It's a super, super size version of the equipment used to clear driveways at home.

After a brief stop for some air traffic it's off to one of the airports four runways.

DuPage Airport is the third largest airport in Illinois. It has the second longest runway behind O'Hare and they pride themselves on never ever closing. The plow is used to direct snow away from the side of the runway, and it's fast with speeds topping 40 mph.

Following the plow down the runway is an enormous broom which sweeps away snow left behind from the plow. The bristles are a combination of poly fibers and steel which helps cut the ice and flick the snow away.

It also has a sweet feature that would come in handy on the expressway.

"You flip the snow up to the top and then you flip it all off. Right, right in front of the broom. So it clears the head of the broom and pushes it all off to the side all in one motion,” Jeff said.

So now it's actually time to check out the snow blower. His job is to pick up the snow and throw it over the signs and lights along the runway.

"And then I'll come at the very end on their last pass and follow them,” Mike said.

And if you're that person in the neighborhood that has to have the biggest snow blower, the Wasau Everest JV 5000 may be it. It'll clear 6,000 tons an hour and you can stay warm while you direct exactly which direction you want that snow to blow.

The runway can be cleared in as little as 45-minutes and it has high-tech pavement sensors that measure temperatures so the crew can put down an anti-ice product before any freezing event.