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February 25, 2013

Enid crews preparing to clear essential roads

By James Neal, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID, Okla. — As blizzard conditions approach the Enid area, city crews are preparing to clear essential roads, and reminding area drivers to keep safety a priority.

City of Enid Director of Public Works Jim McClain said city crews are preparing to apply salt and sand in advance of the storm, and to plow main arterial streets and essential service streets.

McClain said the city has held off on applying salt and sand due to the rainfall, but that application process will begin once temperatures fall below freezing.

Once snowfall starts accumulating, McClain said the city’s road clearing assets will be dedicated to the city’s designated snow plowing routes.

McClain said the plowing routes include designated arterial streets and streets leading to facilities likely to require a priority for access by emergency services, such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Those routes will receive attention from the city’s plowing assets, which include: four graders; four backhoes; four plows and trucks; three large skid loaders.

McClain said the city does not have the equipment and manpower to clear the more-than 400 miles of city streets in Enid, and has to focus its efforts on the snow plowing routes.

“Each storm is attacked differently depending on a number of factors,” McClain said, including the moisture content of the snow, wind and ground temperatures.

“We have to take the information we have available once the snow falls and then attack the storm appropriately,” McClain said.

Once snow does start covering the road, McClain said drivers should follow some simple safety precautions:

• Don’t get out drive on snow-covered roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.

• If you must drive in inclement weather, allow plenty of time to reach your destination and drive at a safe speed.

• Always let someone know where you going when driving in bad weather, and let them know when you arrive.

• Do not follow snow plows or equipment closer than 100 feet.

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