KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri snowplow drivers are hitting the roads Thursday for a statewide training exercise as the state prepares for the upcoming winter season.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) is conducting this exercise to ensure that all drivers are ready to tackle snow and ice when winter storms hit.

The training involves activating the statewide emergency operations center and testing the emergency communications system.

MODOT has been facing a shortage of experienced snowplow drivers, a challenge exacerbated by the pandemic. However, the state is now finding enough drivers to cover all necessary routes.

Last year, MODOT spent over $64 million on snow removal efforts, using 160,000 tons of salt, 2.1 million gallons of salt brine, and 229,000 gallons of beet ju

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