Private plow companies grateful for spring snowfall

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This late-season snowfall was a welcome surprise for plow drivers who struggled over the winter.

"The wet snow just takes about twice as long to plow," Frank Alioto said while plowing a parking lot on Friday, March 22.

Alioto has been in the snowplow business for 15 years and the past four, he has been the boss.

"We specialize in snow removal and landscaping in the summer months," he said. "I love the flexibility of it."

Alioto's business, Trifecta Solutions, works with Milwaukee businesses, clearing and salting properties.

"It is really cool to go to a parking lot and have it covered and have it super clean when you leave. It's quite nice," he said.

He even uses an app to pick up extra jobs on the side.

"It's outside the customer base that we normally have, and the extra work is always great, and we can pick it up as we want it," Alioto explained.

He tells CBS 58 that his crews were out at 2 a.m. on Friday, ready for action. City of Milwaukee plows deployed Thursday evening clearing major streets and routes for the morning commute.

"Our trucks will stay out there until we know the roads are safe and clear," City of Milwaukee Sanitation Area Manager Alan Kerr said.

The job can be grueling, with crews, both public and private, working extended shifts.

"It's a lot of hours on when it snows, but it also gives us quite a bit of vacation time in the winter," Alioto said.

While Alioto said the work is rewarding, it is also a big part of his company's Winter revenue. This late-season snow is helping his team keep plowing forward.

"This winter season has been really rough. As everyone knows, there's just been a lack of snowfall, and a lot of companies that are small are struggling to pay the bills every month," he said. "We're lucky to still be out here pushing at this point."

Now all they can do is look toward 2025.

"We got our fingers crossed for a heavy snow next year," he said.