Date:

November 30, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Roger Figard, Public Works and Utilities, 441-7567

Wayne Teten, Public Works and Utilities, 441-4939

Mayor Chris Beutler said today that the City is prepared to handle snowy and icy conditions this winter with about $4 million in the City’s snow operations fund.

"Our priority during winter weather is to keep the public safe, and that means keeping emergency routes and major arterials clear," said Mayor Beutler. "This is a huge job, and it requires a great deal of planning and coordination. The public can help a great deal by using off-street parking, driving carefully and limiting their driving as much as possible when streets are slick."

The City can issue two types of snow removal parking bans:

• A snow emergency means that parking is banned on emergency snow routes, arterial streets and City bus routes.
• A residential parking ban will begin on the even-numbered (north and east) sides of the street in ALL residential areas. Once the ban on the even-numbered sides has ended, parking will then be banned on the odd-numbered (south and west) sides of the street in ALL residential areas. Parking is again allowed on the even sides.

Although most cul-de-sacs have both even- and odd-numbered addresses, the City is asking those living in cul-de-sacs to move vehicles off the street when the even residential parking ban begins and to keep cars off the street until the area has been plowed. Specialized equipment is used in cul-de-sacs because regular plows are too large to maneuver well.

Public Works will continue to be proactive in keeping streets cleared. Crews begin spreading anti-icing materials on bridges, intersections and other trouble areas before storms begin. One day of full snow removal operations costs about $125,000.

During storms, information on snow operations will be available from local media, City cable channels 5 and 10, the City Web site (lincoln.ne.gov) and the Windstream phone directory.

The City has the following reminders for residents:

• Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks by 9 a.m. the day following the end of the snow storm. Adjoining wheelchair ramps and curb cuts must also be cleared.
• It is illegal to push or blow snow into or on any street, alley or sidewalk.
• Residents are encouraged to clear snow from fire hydrants.