Local news- Press Release
Columbus Nebraska - WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SNOW Street Superintendent talks plans for roads during winter weather 29 December 2023 ( news )
Columbus , state Nebraska ( By Press Release office)
Dec 29,2023
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People think about “The Grinch” stealing Christmas , but Mother Nature was the culprit this year for the City of Columbus’ Streets Department .
The National Weather Service early on Christmas Eve began issuing severe weather alerts for the local area , indicating blizzard conditions were possible . Columbus residents woke up to a white Christmas with family and friends , but the streets team was hard at work cleaning up the roads as best they could .
City Streets Superintendent Clete Borchers said crews spent much of Christmas Eve hooking up plows and getting brine trucks ready to go . About 5 a . m . Christmas morning , they were out mixing brine on the road and clearing the snowy roads while it came down , including on the highway and streets near the hospital , among others . A new challenge this year was that recently reconstructed highway in town could not be salted , so residents have had to be even more mindful of icy conditions in those areas .
Workers managed to sneak away to spend a few hours with their loved ones on Christmas Day that afternoon before getting back at it about 6:30 p . m . and spending approximately five or six hours clearing downtown overnight . The focus shifted to residential roads the day after Christmas and has continued throughout the week with return visits .
When it comes to plowing , the street superintendent said major streets and avenues are handled first . Then , officials move into residential streets . The downtown business district is cleared of snow overnight while businesses are closed .
“We do try to clear what is possible downtown during the day but with all the parked vehicles on the streets , it works best overnight , ” Borchers said , noting the road surrounding the hospital and schools usually get more attention than other areas .
Here are some frequently asked questions:
Q: What do crews do if there is not enough snow to plow , but the streets are icy?
A
: Pre - treatment of roads begins when conditions warrant . During light snowfalls and/or when streets are icy , street crews will spread a brine mixture on major arterials , downtown and at intersections with traffic signals and stop signs . We also brine around churches and schools .
Q: Should we move our cars from the residential streets?
A
: During residential plowing , it is very helpful if cars are moved into the driveway or a street that has been cleared . Upon the removal or moving of snow by the City of Columbus , from streets or avenues and the creation of any windrows , or piles of snow left around or upon a vehicle; said vehicle must be moved within 12 hours ( 6 p . m . to 6 a . m . ) from the date of the creation of the windrow or pile of snow to a location at least 100 inches from the nearest windrow located upon the portion of public right - of - way used for vehicular traffic , or to be moved upon the privately owned property .
Q: What about driveways and sidewalks?
A
: When plowing snow on your street , crews have no place to push the snow except to the curb . This creates the unavoidable problem of already cleared sidewalks and driveways becoming covered with snow . Unfortunately , the City does not have the funds or personnel to clean sidewalks and driveways . The City Street Division asks your cooperation in removing the snow again . We all need to work together to keep our city safe , including clearing sidewalks of snow .
The City Code further states that no person shall deposit , throw , blow , or otherwise dispose of any snow , ice , or hard - packed snow on any public property , street , alley , or another public way except for the sidewalks in the downtown area , as defined in the Snow and Ice Control Policy , which snow shall be returned to the curb - line dividing the streets and sidewalks in said designated area .
The street superintendent urged residents to use caution when on the roads and be mindful of the street crew .
“Residents are reminded to drive to the conditions , and when driving around snow equipment , give them plenty of room to do their job , ” he said .
If you have questions , you can call the City Street Division at 402 - 562 - 4253 .
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