INDIANAPOLIS — It may not feel like it outside, but winter is approaching in central Indiana. Historically, Hoosiers are in the middle of a very warm fall. It's giving the Indianapolis Department of Public Works extra time to prepare. ”It allows us the time to make sure the staff is trained," said DPW Director Brandon Herget. "It cuts down on our overtime budget and our salt budget, as well." Extra time is even more important this year. DPW is bringing on 64 new plow drivers for this winter season. It's thanks in part to a new CDL program through the city. ”Being able to invest in that talent in a way that's meaningful to them long term professionally and also addresses the short-term needs that we have as a department is critical," Herget said. Being the crossroads of America, Herget said CDL drivers are a hot commodity. The program has given them a leg up when it comes to hiring. "They get their CDLs, they start out doing dry runs and that way they get actually physically in the truck with the plows while there is no snow and no ice and learn what's out there on the roads," said Union AFSCME Local #725 President Steven Quick. These extra plow drivers will give Quick enough people to make sure the important routes are covered. "If you don't have enough folks, that means you're going to have to double up on the routes for that day, so it really makes everybody comfortable knowing we have enough folks for each route they have to cover," Quick said. Whether these plow drivers see much snow is still up in the air. The past two winters in Indy have seen less than average snowfall and the city is currently experiencing a historically warm fall. ”The weather is just different all together," Quick said. "It seems like we're having more warmer seasons than what we've had in the past." When warmer temperatures interrupt our usually frigid winter weather, it creates an unfortunate equation for Hoosier roads. "If there is a significant freeze thaw cycle, back and forth, pavement temperature dropping and escalating, that could lead to bad pavement conditions," Herget said. That's right, we're nearing pothole season in central Indiana and this could be an especially rough one. The Weather Authority is predicting a milder and wetter winter this season. Quick said warm weather in spurts during the winter months does allow them to fill potholes with cold asphalt mix as they go. Herget added they're hoping to reopen the hot asphalt plants in record time in 2025, just like they did in 2024. Between now and then, Quick wants to remind people to slow down around snow plows and give the vehicles plenty of room. ”That plow can be like a can opener," Quick said. "It can peel a vehicle back and really injure some folks."