Nearly 10 inches of snow fell in Elgin overnight last night and the City’s Public Works Department provided maximum staffing to help clear 325 center lane miles of roads.
“At the height of the storm we had about 50 people working to clear streets,” said John Loete, Elgin Public Works Director. “We plowed arterial roads an average of 10 times to keep them clear.”
Plowing main thoroughfares that often is necessary to ensure people can move through the City without problems said Loete.
“It’s routine to plow arterial roads that often,” said Loete. “We then plow side streets once but go back through the streets to ensure everything is done well.”
Snow storm facts:
• There are 17 snow routes covering 325 center lane miles throughout Elgin.
• At the height of the storm, the Public Works Department had 50 people working to clear snow.
• Maximum staffing fell between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.
• More than 1,500 tons of salt was used.
•There are 805 lane miles throughout Elgin.
•Arterial roads are plowed an average of 10 times during major snow storms.
•Side streets are generally plowed once.
•It takes about 1200 man hours to clear Elgin streets during major snow storms.