(COLUMBIA, MO) -
Plow drivers will practice their designated snow routes on Nov. 14 during the City of Columbia's annual Dry Snow Run. Street Division supervisors will conduct safety training for drivers from Columbia Public Works and Utilities departments. The Public Works Street Division typically employs 44 drivers working in shifts during winter weather events, while Utilities has 14 drivers from Water & Light and Sewer to assist Public Works during major events.
"Giving our plow drivers the opportunity to practice their designated snow routes prior to a major winter weather event helps improve safety and efficiency," Street Superintendent Sam Thomas said.
There are approximately 470 lane miles of designated snow routes, or priority routes, in Columbia. These priority routes create a network of major roads and residential streets extending throughout the city. Their primary purpose is to ensure safe passageway to highways, hospitals, schools, fire stations and commercial areas. Priority routes are plowed and treated 24 hours per day as needed during a winter weather event; other routes are plowed and treated during normal business hours. When snow reaches 4 inches, all of the City's 1350 lanes miles are plowed and treated 24/7.
The Dry Snow Run will begin at the Grissum Building, 1313 Lakeview Ave., and continue at the Leroy Anderson Salt Dome, 1101 Big Bear Blvd., where the City stores its plows, salt and road treatment materials.
As part of this training event, the Public Works Parking Utility will be placing informational flyers on all cars parked along designated snow routes. The flyers will remind drivers they must move their vehicles off of all priority routes whenever it snows at least 2 inches.
"The ordinance only begins at 2 inches, and only for designated snow routes, but many residents help us out by moving their cars off street anytime it snows or ices," Thomas said. "When residents do this, we notice it and we appreciate it because it makes our job safer, and it allows us to plow streets more quickly."
For more details about designated snow routes and the City's snow fighting action plan, visit CoMoSnow.com.
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