Wednesday, December 20, 2000
City Snow Crews Still on the Streets: Secondary Streets Improving
Last night's wet snow became this morning's ice on many main roads and residential streets in the District. To clear the streets and keep motorists safe, the DC Department of Public Works deployed salt-spreading trucks and plows along 133 routes city-wide. Crews of workers also manually cleared high-pedestrian traffic areas, such as sidewalks.
Today, adhering to the city's winter storm plan, main roads received attention first. Salt-spreading dump trucks have been working continuously on bridges, ramps, and overpasses that tend to freeze before the air temperature actually falls to 32 degrees. Following rush hour, trucks focused exclusively on treating problem residential streets, particularly those that are steep, shaded or narrow. Salting will continue until road conditions improve. Alleys scheduled for trash and recycling collection are also among the priorities for salt-spreading trucks. The city has committed to treating all residential streets within 24 hours, making most streets passable.
This evening, as the temperature drops again into the 20s, the city's trucks will also be equipped with Ice Ban, a liquid de-icer developed specifically to work in sub-freezing conditions.
Drivers and plow operators will be visiting icy streets in every ward during the night. According to Tom Henderson, Administrator of DPW's Solid Waste Management Administration, "Trucks will be spending the most time in Wards 3, 4, 7 and 8 - areas that have steep, shaded streets."
Note: To report a dangerous, icy condition on your street, call the City-Wide Call Center at 202-727-1000.
