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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 12/6/2013
SUBJECT: City Snow Plow Operations Update
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
SUBJECT: City Snow Plow Operations Update
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
City Snow Plow Operations Update
[Duluth, MN] – Since Monday night, the City of Duluth snow plow operators have been working 16 hour shifts covering 400 miles of roads to get ahead of this historic snow storm. Deemed as one of the heaviest snowfalls in Duluth history, this storm hammered the city with unrelenting wet heavy snow causing school closures and even limiting bus service leaving behind up to 29 inches in some parts of the city.
“Our snow plow operators have been working hard for the past few days. Plows have focused on the main arterial routes and emergency routes first. They have done a great job keeping those clear. Yesterday our operators were able to finish over 98% of the residential streets. They hope to finish the alleys today,” said Kelly Fleissner, Interim Director of Public Administration.
The City has used all 22 plow trucks and 22 graders to tackle this difficult snowstorm. Trucks made the initial pass clearing as much snow as possible before graders could make the secondary pass through with stronger blades to cut through the hardened snow. With the freezing temperatures, salt is no longer effective on icy roads and operators have been spreading sand instead.
Very few streets remain unplowed. Some are impassable due to snowed in cars making the roads too narrow for trucks to access. Residents are urged to dig out their cars and move them so snow plows can complete clearing the rest of the residential streets. Many residents have done a great job so far removing cars from the streets but more work lies ahead.
To help snow plow operators finish their work in the coming days, the public is reminded that they should adhere to the change over for alternate side parking on Sunday. Cars must be moved to the “odd” side of the street between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Your cooperation minimizes the need for enforcement action.
Residents are also discouraged from shoveling or blowing excess snow onto City streets or alleys so these routes remain clear for passage.
During this snow storm all 22 plow trucks and 22 graders were called into service and over 37 employees have worked various shifts throughout the week. Employees from other Departments and Division such as Utility Operations, Park Maintenance, Traffic Maintenance, and Fleet Services supported the Street Maintenance staff in keeping our plows and graders working throughout the storm. This week’s snow storm alone has cost the City about $150,000 in equipment, salt/sand, and staff time to date.
Questions or concerns can be directed to the winter weather hotline at (218) 730-5430. Additional details are available on the City’s Winter Watch website at http://www.duluthmn.gov/winterwatch/
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