Not long ago, the first measurable snow of the season came through Lincoln, creating the first headaches of the year for many drivers. The Lincoln Police handled 78 crashes, 12 involving injured.
One of the most thankless jobs in this scenario is the Street and Traffic Operations of Lincoln.
The Manager of Traffic Operations Mr. Scott Opfer of the Lincoln Public Works Department recalled, “(We have frustrations with) the expectations of the public, and why their road isn’t de-iced, you know, to the pavement.”
Opfer heads up the Traffic Operations department, whose duties include storm sewer maintenance, traffic signal operations in addition to their winter snow removal duties. “When we get to snow and ice, our attention obviously turns to that.”
The system that keeps our streets drivable in the winter is complex, but appropriate considering the unpredictability of the job.
From the first of November to the middle of April, there is a maintenance supervisor on duty ready to sound the call to the city workers.
In cases where accumulation is greater than four inches, there are approximately a hundred personnel worth of private contractors at the disposal of the Public Works Department.
Most are local construction companies with pickups and plows; others are farmers with agricultural tractors rigged to plow.
Preparation for these events can take place up to four days before. Weather permitting, the roads are prepped with salt water. The water evaporates, leaving behind a salt layer on the road, prepping the roads for the foul weather.
When severe weather is on its way, the city employees and contractors are placed on standby status, and hours before the storm hits Lincoln, their equipment is prepped and ready to clear the streets. When the weather hits, the workers are scrambled to the streets.
The Traffic Operations Department clears Bus Routes and major arterial streets in cases where less than four inches accumulate. When accumulation reaches four inches, the entire city is cleared, beginning with bus routes and large streets, moving to community centers such as schools and churches, with residential streets getting last priority.
This may not be ideal to the average resident of Lincoln, but there are ways around it. “Stay inside,” Opfer suggested. “Extra traffic inhibits the process. It’ll be quicker if you stay inside…off the streets”
Updates can be accessed through the City of Lincoln. You can follow the news on twitter @LincolnSnow or seek comprehensive information at the Lincoln Snow Plan website at http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/engine/traffic/snow/