GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Snow has finally arrived in northeast Wisconsin, but Green Bay Public Works was already a few steps ahead.
As the snowflakes began to flurry through the air, plows pulled out of their garages.
“Whenever snow sticks to the pavement, we always take care of the arterial, primary streets. We’re out there all the time because they have to remain wet and clear. That’s just our policy,” said Operations Divison Director Chris Pirlot. “Once the snow exceeds 2 inches, we commit to following the entire city, of course including residential streets.”
But as the white stuff accumulates on the ground, it’s not always the number one concern for those clearing the streets.
“Our concern at public works is that we have this melted snow and ice that came down that will freeze to ice if we don’t keep on top of it, especially on the arterial streets,” Pirlot told WTAQ News. “Because of the hard freeze, it’s really difficult to scrape that ice and stuff on the residential streets that has accumulated. So we’ll do sanding and strategic scraping.”
That’s why they’ve also been laying down brine in residential areas over the past few days. Pirlot says that effort typically focuses on the hot spots for hazards, like hills, curves, and intersections. Using actual street salt has been against city policy for years.
As for what to expect for the evening commute, it could be a bit thick or slick as you leave work.
“Roads will be passable, [it’s a] typical Wisconsin winter during a snowfall. Just exercise caution and and safety, so typical winter driving conditions,” Pirlot said. “Be careful, drive carefully. It’s winter in Wisconsin finally…Get home, and if you don’t have to go anywhere, stay in. Let the snow fall, and we’ll clean it up.”
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