Ramsey Resident - 2000 - November/December

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6 CITY POLley ON SNOW REMOVAL, leE CONTROL The control of snow and ice through quick and effective snowplowing ensures safe transportation for citizens, emergency vehicles, and the ongoing commercial activity in Ramsey. Due to the significant amount of public dollars spent on these services, it is the city's goal to manage and operate winter road maintenance in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Because timing is critical for snow and ice control, the City's goal is to achieve roads clear of snow in a reasonable time period. This is always dependent upon the type and amount of snow. The City cannot guarantee bare, dry pavement after each snowfall, or that streets will be totally free of ice or other driving hazards common to Minnesota winter conditions. Snowplowing begins after the accumulation of two inches of snow. It tal(es City crews approximately eight hours to clear streets after a "normal" snowfall of two to four inches. During major snow accumulations, emergency plowing operations usually begin about 2:00 a.m. In those situations, lead personnel will begin plowing as soon as possible so that primary arterial roadways are passable by morning "rush hours." The City is divided into seven routes. Major collector streets are plowed first. Other streets are plowed in an order determined by the driver for the quickest and most practical way to open all roads. Cul-de-sacs and short, dead-end streets are divided into five routes and are plowed with different plows, adding speed and efficiency to the operation. Ice control consists of distributing a salt or salt/sand mixture when and where the Police and Public Worl(s departments deem necessary. The City sands all main intersections, dangerous curves, and steep grades as needed to control traffic. Because temperature determines the effectiveness of a salt/sand mixture, sanding will not be done on extremely cold days except in emergency situations. Some of the main intersections along State and County roads are sanded as they are plowed. Others are sanded after all roads are cleared of snow, because the sand is needed for ballast on the trucks. During ice storms when no plowing is occurring, intersections along the State and County roads are sanded first and all others are sanded immediately thereafter. SNOWPLOW TRueKS: A WORD To THE WISE Winter requires Minnesota motorists to switch to a new driving mode, including using extra caution when snowplows are operating. Motorists are advised to: . Reduce your speed. Plows travel slower than other vehicles. F or example, if a snowplow is moving at 15 mph and a car behind the plow is traveling at 45 mph, the car will close the distance to the plow at a rate of 44 feet per second. . Avoid driving into a snowcloud. Large vehicles, such as snowplows and semi-trailer trucks, may produce dense clouds of blowing snow, called "whiteouts," and hinder the vision of motorists. Keep a safe distance away from a snowcloud and do not attempt to pass it until the blowing conditions have changed. '*" Be certain which lane a snowplow and its blade are in before trying to pass. Snowplow trucks may have a plow blade on either the right or left side of the vehicle. Motorists should use extreme caution when passing a snowplow. *~~ Plow drivers have limited visibility and they cannot see directly . behind their trucks. Plus, plows can suddenly move sideways from hitting drifts or by cutting through pacl(ed snow. Motorists are advised not to travel next to a plow. Stay back far enough from plows to avoid having your vehicle hit by sanding material or any built-up ice or snow that could falloff these trucks. Remember: snowplows are on the roadway to make your winter driving conditions safer, not to aggrevate motorists. Wear your seatbelt and always allow extra time to reach your destination. And, be patient! POLley REGARDING SANDING OF CITY STREETS The City of Ramsey sands all main intersections, dangerous hills and curves, and certain bus stops as needed to control traffic. It is cost prohibitive to sand every inch of every street. As temperature determines the effectiveness of a salt/sand mixture, sanding will not be done on extremely cold days except in emergency situations. Some of the main intersections along State and County roads are sanded as they are plowed. Others are sanded after all roads are cleared of snow, as the sand is needed for ballast on the trucks. For ice storms, when no plowing is taking place, sanding is done in order of importance with intersections along the State and County roads first and all others immediately thereafter until finished. The best way to predict the fitture is to invent it. - Alan Kay