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Commutes Still Slow 2 Days After Snowfall

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Two full days since more than a foot of snow fell on the Twin Cities, and many motorists are still spending plenty of extra time on metro-area roads trying to get to their destinations.

MnDOT says the northwest metro is still the worst spot, and added that salt will work better to melt slippery roads once the temperature rises closer to 30 degrees.

The City of St. Paul said it's had to use three times the usual amount of salt due to the amount of developing ice.

The winter storm was also the cause of three deaths statewide, too, including a well-known high school coach.

An engineer for the City of St. Paul admitted on Tuesday afternoon that some of the streets in the city were likely worse than they were on Monday.

There were also reports showing that Minnesota roads were much rougher when compared to Wisconsin and South Dakota roads. MnDOT says it's looking into it.

John P. Maczko left a note on the city's website responding to comments that the roads seemed like they were getting worse.

"That is a true statement, particularly at the intersections the roads are worse," he said. "The temperatures overnight caused what had snow had started melting to freeze as ice.  The situation at the intersections is then made worse as drivers accelerate spinning their wheels and when they don't move as fast as they thought accelerate even further creating more heat and water making the situation worse -- Not better."

Maczko said that crews were applying "more expensive treated salt," which is more effective at lower temperatures than plain salt. Also, they began to add sand to their salt mix to increase the level of grit going out onto the streets.

"As the temperatures rise and the sun comes out (which hasn't happened yet) the roads will improve," he said, "but it is going to take Mother Nature's help and time."

When it comes to ice safety, the DNR has a reminder for the thickness necessary to hop on the pond.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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