Snow Removal Efforts Draw to a Close

For Immediate Release
DATE: January 7, 2005

From: Patrick Brennan, Assistant City Manager
(847) 926-1003 office

HIGHLAND PARK, IL-While the snow may have stopped falling on Thursday morning and the Highland Park roadways are now clear, the work is not done.

On Tuesday morning, Public Works crews began preparing for what was appearing to be a significant snowstorm. Every available truck was lined up, ready for duty and staff was preparing to work extended shifts. When the snow began to fall on Tuesday, everything was prepared and in place to cover each of Highland Park's 16 snow removal routes.

To ensure that Highland Park roads were kept as clear of snow as possible, 38 pieces of snow removal equipment were pressed into duty. "This snowstorm was particularly challenging," said Mary Anderson, Director of Public Works. "We had three days of nearly continuous snow." A snow event that required drivers to work shifts of 12 hours driving, a 12-hour break, and then back for another 12-hour shift. Normally, a snowstorm is over within a day, but this storm was different; a storm that saw nearly 500 tons of salt used to ensure safe travel on Highland Park's streets.

Highland Park's response to this storm will conclude in the early morning hours on Saturday. After a short break, snow removal crews will descend upon Highland Park's Central Business District late this evening. Using specialized equipment, crews will remove the ominous piles of snow that have been stacked downtown. Crews will be using a large specialized snow blower to transfer the snow to trucks and away from the Central Business District, marking the end of a successful response to a challenging winter storm. "It is an operation that few people ever realize occurs," stated T. J. Moore, Assistant to the Director of Public Works.