Road work
By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)
Originally published 09:51 a.m., December 11, 2007
Updated 09:51 a.m., December 11, 2007
After the weekend’s sleet storm, we heard numerous comments, once again, about the efficiency of Emporia’s street crews or lack thereof. We heard one radio announcer sum up by saying, “You can’t do much about ice.”
We disagree.
On Sunday morning, just after 9, we drove to town along north Kansas Highway 99, which was covered with about a half-inch of sleet. The tracks of a few brave souls provided a driving path. We found the same situation in Emporia.
When we left church about noon, we found the Emporia streets in the same condition we’d left them. Highway 99 north of Emporia, however, had been bladed, and all the sleet was pushed to the shoulders. What remained was wet pavement, no different from what we’d drive in after a heavy rainstorm.
With every winter storm, we are convinced that the Kansas Department of Transportation’s road-clearing plan works.
With almost every winter storm, we are convinced that Emporia’s plan needs to be changed.
In the past, Emporia’s plan for clearing ice has been summarized in this way: Put down hadite for traction and melting and let the vehicle traffic clear the roads. This method eventually clears the major thoroughfares, although the slush often re-freezes overnight. Depending on the temperatures, however, side streets could remain snow-packed for days or even a week.
We found it interesting recently that Junction City northwest of Emporia had a policy of curb-to-curb snow removal citywide within two days. We can’t imagine that luxury.
Matt Zimmerman, Emporia’s new city manager, is experiencing his first winter in Emporia, and he will see exactly what the road-clearing policies are and how they work. We’ll be curious to see his reaction, considering that he came to Emporia from Prospect Heights, Ill., outside Chicago, an area known for serious winter weather.
We hope that Zimmerman evaluates the current system and helps develop new guidelines. If nothing else, he could get some ideas from KDOT workers.
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Posted by dml (anonymous) on December 11, 2007 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, Gwen. I left chruch about 10:15 since we did not have any adult bible studies going on and 99 south of town was just wet. It helps that they have a spray they put down before the storm that helps melt the ice and snow from underneath.
The county has done a much better job the last few years keeping the blactop clear going into Hartford. Unfortunately, that means I get to drive about 10 mph between pastures when I have the tire chains on the feed truck.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on December 11, 2007 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I couldnt agree more about the city's plan for our roads. Why dont they feel it important enough to maintain cleared roads. Side streets included.
Not all of us have the luxury of staying home in bad weather.
Posted by ks_farmboy (anonymous) on December 11, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i thought the city manager did alot better job than what we have had before. not only were the street crews out during this weekend and at night before the storm hit, the police department also had double the manpower that they usually have in order to not be bogged down with traffic accidents. i think he is doing a very good job in a city that was neglected in the past years. thanks for the help city workers.
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)