Street Clearance Slowed by Low Temperatures

Streets Division - Feb. 1, 2010

The Streets Division has modified its normal road-clearing procedures to account for overnight lows that negate the effectiveness of salt, Streets Director Robby Stone said.

"Normally we run around the clock salting roads, Stone said. "However, once the temperature drops into the low 20s the effectiveness of salt is drastically reduced. In order to conserve our salt supplies, we are operating a skeleton crew at night and having most of our employees work a day shift, when the temperature is high enough for the salt to be effective."

Sand has been put out in select locations to assist with traction, Stone said.

A Streets crew is on call overnight to assist in the case of a police or medical emergency.

"We anticipate making good progress today while the temperatures are forecasted to rise into the upper 30’s with lots of sunshine," Stone said.