12-06-2010 Snow clearance continues; Crews work ’round the clock

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Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE Monday, December 06, 2010 1:30 p.m. Snow clearance continues; Crews work ’round the clock Contact: Sam Hensley, Director of Streets, 235-9244 City of South Bend crews stepped up snow-removal efforts today, mobilizing inter-departmental efforts to place as many as 60 pieces of equipment on city streets to remove snowfall from major thoroughfares. Drivers are encouraged to slow down to speeds appropriate for the road conditions and drive with caution. Since Friday, Street Department crews worked around the clock and had the availability of 30 to 35 pieces of equipment on the roads. But the number of units and personnel will nearly double today as part of a citywide effort. City departments and work units providing personnel and equipment include the Public Works Garage, Water Works, Sewers, Traffic & Lighting, Parks and Recreation, Organic Resources and Code Enforcement. “It has been challenging because of the high winds and the drifting,” said Sam Hensley, director of streets. “It’s been intermittent. We just about get it cleaned up, and then it snows again.” Street Department crews began working overtime on Friday and plan to continue working two, 12-hour shifts until sometime after the anticipated snowfall ceases. In advance of the heavier snowfall, they completed two applications of a geo-melt/salt brine mixture, whose beet juice contents enhance melting of snow and ice. After an initial plowing of residential streets, crews were back on primary arteries today. The National Weather Service continues to forecast a Lake Effect Snow Warning until midday Tuesday with projected accumulation of 12 to 20 inches. “We’ll be working 24/7 till at least Wednesday,” Hensley said. “When the snow is done, we are not.”