Snow removal on city streets, especially in the downtown area, has been challenging due to recent weather. As a result, the current road conditions are not yet up to the high standard desired, but staff are working diligently to achieve that goal. Details are provided below on the challenges faced, the extensive work conducted thus far to clear all roads, and what is in store for the immediate future to complete and refine the snow clearing from city streets.
Current Status & Challenges
City crews have been working continuously over the last two weeks to address the challenge of keeping the city’s streets clear of snow and ice due to the extreme winter weather events that have been experienced recently. The amount of heavy wet snow, periods of rain, high winds, and record low temperatures have combined to make this an especially unusual and difficult event for the city’s snow removal staff. Fortunately, the forecast for next week should bring some relief from the extreme temperatures and snow. However, there are still several challenges ahead and work to be done to address ongoing issues as a result of the recent events.
Removal of Snow Piles
There are still streets with snow piled in the center, namely a portion of E. Main Street and E. Fremont Street. The city plows some streets to the center to allow for parking on the side of the street or to avoid piling snow on sidewalks frequently used by pedestrians. Due to traffic, the snow piles are hauled away during the overnight hours and the evening following the completion of snow removal. To date this winter, approximately 1400 dump truck loads of snow have been hauled from city streets. This is a time-consuming process, especially with large amounts of snow, and the process has been slowed by equipment breakdowns due to extremely cold temperatures. City crews will be working to remove snow overnight the weekend of January 19th–21st, 2024, and anticipate finishing snow pickup by Monday morning. Due to the extreme cold temperatures forecasted, there is the possibility that equipment will not function in those extreme temperatures, which could delay the planned completion. Picking up snow piled in the street takes precedence over snow piled in city parking lots. The lots will be cleared during the nighttime hours in the following days once the snow has been removed from the streets.
Frozen Snow & Ice on the Roadway
Another issue that city crews are actively working to address is the snow and ice frozen on some of the streets in the downtown area. The extremely cold temperatures have made the treated salt ineffective in melting these areas enough to be removed from the street, despite continued efforts to do so. Crews plan to continue to apply salt and utilize equipment to attempt to scrape the remaining ice from the roadway throughout the day today and tonight. It is anticipated that this work should be completed by the end of the day on January 19, 2024, but may be dependent on temperatures.
Future Outlook
As mentioned, the temperatures are forecast to improve next week. However, the forecasted rain, along with melting snow, could present yet another challenge. The snow and ice currently on the side of the street can dam up storm inlets and not allow them to take water, which can lead to flooding issues. City crews plan to work to clear snow and ice from inlets as much as possible in advance of the forecasted rain and during an event. However, street flooding is a possibility and something residents and motorists should be aware of.
We commend our snow removal staff for all their hard work and long hours during this extended period of difficult weather. The continued understanding of the public as we work to address the remainder of the cleanup and clearing of the streets and parking lots is greatly appreciated. For any questions or concerns regarding specific areas of the roadway, please contact the Public Works Department at 309-345-3623.
