The Mower County board and Public Works Director Mike Hanson said they’ll try to do better after residents in eastern Mower County asked why roads remained slick early this week after some freezing rain and snow.

Residents spoke up after rain Monday night and wintry conditions through the week left buses and other vehicles experiencing slick conditions on main commuting roads like Country Roads 8 and 14.

Commissioner Polly Glynn, who represents much of eastern Mower County, brought the concerns before the board at Thursday’s meeting.

Hanson said part of the issue was the timing and the conditions on rural roads.

When the rain hit Monday night, Austin saw temperatures above freezing; however, the eastern side of the county saw colder weather that froze the moisture on the roads.

Once ice is down on the roads, it’s difficult to get back up.

Hanson said they’ll use salt or sand product on the roads; however, since traffic volumes on the rural roads are far less than on roads like Interstate 90, they often see refreeze. Blustery winds were also blowing snow over the roads by mid-week, Hanson said.

Hanson told Glynn he and the highway department are discussing ways to address the roads and keep them as clear as possible.

“This seems like it happens every year,” Hanson said.

Hanson promised they’ll be out plowing when about 6 inches of snow is expected this weekend.

“We’ll be out,” Hanson said.