PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The work has already begun in advance of forecasted snow and freezing rain.

ALSO READ: Temps Stay Below Freezing, Snow On The Way 

At the Philadelphia Streets Department Sixth Highway Yard in the Northeast, trucks and equipment was inspected and melting material was loaded.

Steve Lorenz, chief highway engineer for the street department said the process takes time to prep.

"What we have is a tri-axle out there with a loader, we are filling it up with some rock salt and we 're getting ready to spread it out on the streets."

There is more than 50,000 tons of salt available with 70 trucks at the ready.

"So we are asking everyone to be patient, give enough space between yourselves and the salt trucks in front of you."