Mayor Gray says city making progress with plowing

DEM Blogger

February 17, 2015

As street crews made progress overnight Tuesday on main priority roads, Mayor Gray announced today City Hall offices will be open Wednesday on a two-hour delay.

Beginning this afternoon and continuing overnight, crews will focus on suburban streets included in the city’s snow plan. “We understand lots of folks are anxious to get their streets cleared, and we ask for their patience,” Gray said. “Our Streets and Roads Division is responsible for snow and ice removal on 1,100 lane miles of city and county roads. We have all of our personnel and our equipment out working on the roads.” In addition the state plows more than 500 miles of roadways. For more information on individual streets call LexCall 311.
This year, Gray called in independent contractors with additional equipment to help city crews clear streets faster. The city still has ample salt on hand.

Tomorrow, progress may be delayed by a forecast released this afternoon by the National Weather Service. It calls for more snow and bitter cold temperatures. “If it starts snowing again Streets and Roads will return to the higher priority routes,” Gray said.

UPDATES

• Injury accidents and non-injury accidents have remained relatively low thanks to citizens who are driving cautiously. But police reports show improvement. The first day of the storm, there were 5 injury accidents, 45 non injury accidents, 470 motorist assists and 90 escorts. So far today there have been no injury accidents, 29 non injury accidents, 163 motorist assists and 80 escorts.
• Beginning tonight at 11 p.m., police will no longer transport hospital workers and other emergency personnel. “We were pleased we could offer this enhanced service for this storm, but the service will end at 11 tonight because road conditions have improved,” said Police Chief Mark Barnard.
• Because of the brutally cold temperatures that are forecast through Friday, waste collection has been suspended until Saturday, when the city will pick up routes normally collected on Monday. Next week Waste Management will resume a regular pickup schedule. Business collection will begin tomorrow, where possible.
• Firefighters continue to urge citizens to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible materials and plugged directly into the wall. Turn all space heaters off when you leave home. Never use an oven or a grill or alternative heat to heat your home. Check smoke alarms and make sure they’re working properly.
• Shelters for the homeless are in place and alerts have been distributed widely within the community and press, Gray said.
• The day care center at the Family Care Center will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
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