Public Works Crews Ready for Powder

Published on January 5, 2017

Let it snow! The City’s Public Works department mobilized snow and ice crews in preparation for possible accumulations on Friday. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory from noon Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday.

“Our first concern is bridges, overpasses and streets in higher elevations,” said Chris McNeese, Director of Public Works. “We’ll target those areas first – roads on Monte Sano, Cecil Ashburn Drive, and Green Mountain.”

Public Works stockpiles 1,400 tons of a modified granular mix and 500 tons of salt to use during the winter months. A 30-member road crew will spread finely crushed rock along the roadways most likely to ice. Salt is only used on asphalt roadways.

“We’re working to stay ahead of event and our staff is ready to respond,” said McNeese.

The Alabama Department of Transportation manages Memorial Parkway and pre-treated elevated portions of the state highway on Thursday. Public Works crews placed barricades along the Parkway’s access points in anticipation of potential closures.

“The best way for everyone to weather the storm is to stay warm, at home, off of the roads,” said McNeese.