News
January 8, 2009
City Of Raleigh Is Prepared For Winter Storms
Mayor Charles Meeker and several key players in making certain the City of Raleigh operates as safely and efficiently as possible offered a look at the City’s new salt barn today. They also took the opportunity to review Raleigh’s weather emergency policies and the City’s winter weather preparations.
City crews have readied snow equipment, stored salt and salt brine, and made detailed plans for moving and removing snow and/or ice in case a winter storm hits Raleigh.
“We are prepared,” Mayor Meeker said. “When the need arises, we will activate our emergency inclement weather plan to clear roads and bridges of snow or ice and make conditions as safe as possible for citizens. The City will provide the best service possible to our residents during inclement weather.”
The mayor is encouraging citizens who live or work in Raleigh to review their own emergency inclement weather plans.
New Salt Barn
After an ice storm in 2006, the City of Raleigh determined that a second salt storage facility was needed to enhance its ability to respond to major storms. In late November, the City completed construction of the new facility, which will serve the northern portion of Raleigh, including Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Interstate 40 and the I-540 Outer Loop.
The new salt barn, located on Mount Herman Road, was completed by Raleigh-based Macallan Construction Company in record time to help ensure that the City is well-prepared to face the challenges of any wintry weather. Williard Ferm Architects PA of Raleigh was the architectural firm for the project.
“While we certainly hope that Raleigh doesn’t experience any major snow or ice storms this season, the new salt storage facility puts us in a much better position to respond quickly,” said Raleigh City Manager Russell Allen. “With the additional salt storage facility, we will be able to treat our roadways more efficiently, thereby helping to ensure that the public can drive to and from their destinations safely.”
Snow Removal Plan
The goal of the City’s emergency snow removal is to keep major roadways and public transit routes passable for vehicles equipped with all-weather tires, snow tires or chains, or other special equipment designed for icy road conditions.
This will be the fourth winter season the City uses salt brine to treat roads. Salt brine is a mixture of salt and water that is applied to major roads, including transit routes, prior to a predicted winter storm. The mixture dissolves snow and ice as it falls onto the pavement. The City has the ability to make and apply salt brine. Although salt brine is not a panacea for treating roads in all types of winter storms, it is a proven and successful tool that will complement the City’s other snow and ice removal strategies.
The City’s snow removal plan calls for priority one (major thoroughfares) and priority two (Capital Area Transit bus routes) to be treated with salt brine right before a predicted winter storm hits. After pretreatment with salt brine, the City will spread salt on roads and bridges as soon as snow or ice conditions are detected. Snow plowing begins when the snow depth exceeds two inches.
The City has set a priority system for bridges and roads to determine the order in which salt is spread and plowing occurs. Under this priority system, bridges will be salted first. Following bridges in the priority system will be major thoroughfares, then all Capital Area Transit (CAT) routes. After that, the City will begin clearing major residential and connector streets, then all other residential streets if snow and/or ice conditions continue.
CAT bus service will be maintained at the highest level possible as long as safety can be assured. If conditions warrant, the CAT bus service will switch to special
inclement weather routes, which serve as much of the regular transit routes as possible. Additional information about CAT’s inclement weather routes can be obtained by calling 485-RIDE (7433) or visiting the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/transit.
Weather emergency policies
The City of Raleigh implements several weather emergency policies when unexpected weather events occur.
For thoroughfares, when the roads are not safe due to weather conditions, the City will declare a “Weather Emergency” and request drivers to stay off Raleigh’s main roads until appropriate steps can be taken. Such emergencies would include icy roads, conditions when trees have fallen and other similar occurrences. The request for citizens to stay off the streets would be made through radio and television outlets as well as emails to local employers. Employers wishing to be added to the email alert list may do so by contacting the City’s Public Affairs Department at 996-3100 or emailing chris.riley@ci.raleigh.nc.us. Also during declared weather emergencies, residents will be asked to limit cellular telephone calls except in the case of pressing personal needs.
The City of Raleigh also will communicate with other levels of government in Wake County and local media to coordinate weather plans. Priority will be given to helping school children get home safely.
On days when Wake County public schools are closed due to inclement weather, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department offers daycare service for children in grades kindergarten through sixth. The service is offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at three City community centers --- Chavis, Green Road and Jaycee. Parents should make sure their children bring lunch, two snacks and drinks, and a change of clothing. The cost of the daycare service is $20 for Raleigh residents and $30 for non-residents. Preregistration is recommended. For more information, contact the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at 996-3285.
Equipment readied
In preparation for inclement weather, the City has stockpiled 3,700 tons of salt for icy conditions and 20,000 gallons of salt brine. The new salt barn currently has 2,000 tons of salt; the City’s other salt barn on Dortch Street contains 1,700 tons of salt. The City also has 42 trucks equipped with salt spreaders and plows, three City and contract motor graders, and a variety of loaders and four-wheel drive vehicles, all available for use during inclement weather.
City mechanics check the vehicles and equipment at least once a month throughout the year and make any repairs necessary before inclement weather hits. Each City employee involved in street clearing knows their job and is prepared to go to work as soon as inclement weather threatens.
Personnel needs
The City Manager’s Office works closely with all City departments to ensure the City’s emergency inclement weather plan is being coordinated. Heavy equipment vehicle operators from the Public Works, Public Utilities, and Parks and Recreation departments will be doing the actual salting and plowing work as well as some other snow clearing. But many departments are part of the emergency inclement weather plan, including Police, the Emergency Communications Center, Community Services, Inspections, Information Technology, and Public Affairs. When inclement weather hits, it takes a concentrated and combined effort to make sure the City serves its residents in a timely and effective manner.
“Our departments and employees work together to make sure we get streets cleared as quickly as possible, that emergency services are available and active no matter what, and that our citizens are kept informed about what is happening at all times,” Mr. Allen said.
Information to the public
One major part of the inclement weather plan is communications -- getting timely information to the public as it is needed.
Working with the City Manager’s Office, the Public Works Department’s Street Maintenance Division, the Police Department and CAT bus dispatchers, the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department will provide updated information on current conditions and the City’s emergency response to the news media as quickly as possible. The City also provides inclement weather information on Cable Channel 11 (RTN 11), the City government access station, and Cable Channel 22 (RTN 22), the City’s informational station, and on the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov.
Citizens should never call 9-1-1 to get information on weather conditions or road conditions. Only call 9-1-1 for real emergencies.
Anyone wishing more information about the City’s inclement weather plan or preparations for winter storms should call the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department at 996-3100.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3003
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