HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Brian Clennan with Hutchinson City Public Works told the council Tuesday that they have already brined the streets in town in advance of tonight's storm and they are going to 12-hour shifts starting at 8 p.m. tonight through the end of storm cleanup. During a snow/ice event crews work 24 hours a day.
A reminder that in the city, when snow plow trucks pass by residences and businesses, a windrow of snow is pushed up against the curb and in front of driveway entrances. This is due to the plow removing snow from the center of the road and is unavoidable. Residents are encouraged to clear snow from their driveways before the snow re-freezes and becomes more difficult to remove.
In some areas of town, primarily Main Street and the Downtown area, street width allows for snow storage on the street; therefore, snow is plowed to the center of the street and removed after the storm.
The city has 7 tandem-axle trucks and 1 single-axle truck equipped with spreaders and front plows. There are 3 one-ton trucks equipped with front plows, 3 Loaders, 2 Road Graders, 3 Backhoes, and 1 Skid steer that can be deployed.
The majority of snow events only require the city to address the primary routes. Although the City of Hutchinson has never developed a bare pavement policy, we strive to achieve bare pavement on our primary routes within 24 to 48 hours after the storm.
The decision to plow or salt streets is largely based on the severity of the storm and predicted storm totals. All winter events will begin with treating the primary routes with salt. Crews will begin plowing primary routes when storm totals reach approximately 2 inches.
Our primary weapon for fighting snow and ice storms is salt. The city does not use abrasives such as sand along with the salt because of the residue left behind.