Denver Prepares Streets For Winter Storm
DENVER (CBS4)- Denver Public Works is preparing to fully staff snow plows and road crews to clear snow during this weekend's winter storm.
Crews that operate Denver's fleet of big plows will be in at midnight and will deploy when snow begins to accumulate. Denver is also ready to activate its residential snow plow program starting at noon Saturday, if needed.
Denver Public Works' 70 big plows will focus on clearing snow and distributing de-icing materials on Denver's main streets, 96 smaller, residential plows are ready to hit the side streets if warranted.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said the weekend timing actually works in the city's favor.
"We can encourage folks to stay home if they can and keep the streets clear so the crews can work in moving the snow out of the way," said Hancock.
When Denver's residential snow plows are deployed, the light duty plows take one swipe down the middle of every side street to prevent deep rutting of snow and ice and keep the streets passable. The residential plows do not bring the street to bare pavement, but make the street more drivable. Residential snow plows do not distribute de-icing materials.
The criteria for calling out residential plows include:
- Between November 15 and March 15 only
- 12 inches or more of snow predicted
- Accompanied by prolonged freezing temperatures. Next week's lows are below freezing and more snow is forecasted for Thursday.
With significant snowfall expected, Denver wants to remind residents and business owners to clear all sidewalks adjacent to their properties of snow and ice at their earliest convenience.
Denver requires that property owners clear their sidewalks so that everyone has safe access throughout the city. Senior citizens, people with disabilities, parents with strollers, mail carriers and others can struggle to negotiate hazardous walkways if they are not properly cleared of snow and ice.
In Denver, once snow has stopped falling, businesses have four hours, and residents have 24 hours, to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property. Residents who encounter unsafe sidewalks may report the address via Denver 311.
Additional information provided by Denver Community Planning and Development's neighborhood inspectors:
Tips for sidewalk snow safety:
- Shovel early and often. To prevent accumulation and to avoid dealing with packed, heavy snow, clear your walks as early as the weather permits and continue to keep an eye on them when it snows on consecutive days.
- Don't just shovel. Use an ice-melting product to help quicken the melting process and to prevent ice forming from melting snow.
- Keep an eye on the temperature. Dress warmly and use caution and common sense when shoveling in icy conditions and extreme cold.
- Tread carefully. Pedestrians should also take extra care, as walks may still be slick even if they have been cleared of most snow and ice.
- Be a good neighbor. Offer a helping hand to neighbors with disabilities or seniors who may not be able to clear their own walks. Or, sign up to be a Snow Buddy through Volunteers of America — learn more at DenverSnowPlan.com.
