Mayor Linda Gorton today issued a bid request for proposals for a contractor who can provide emergency snow and ice removal services in the event of a weather emergency, taking the city to a new level of emergency response.
“We’re looking for help when we have weather conditions that we do not have the tools to handle – like the ice that paralyzed our streets for two weeks, thanks to an extended period of below-freezing temperatures,” Gorton said.
Winter Storm Fern’s most serious impact stretched from Jan. 24 – Feb. 3. The extended period of bitter cold kept air and ground temperatures extremely low. Because of the extreme cold, it is estimated that the rock salt the city spread on its roads to melt the ice was ineffective 47% of the time – temperatures must be above 15 degrees for salt to work. Between 15 and 20 degrees—an additional 21% of the time—the rock salt provided only sluggish melting.
Gorton said the city needs a contractor who can come in during emergency conditions with the heavy equipment needed to clear the streets. “I think anyone who tried to clear the ice off their sidewalks got an indication of what we were facing on the roads. Clearing ice like this takes heavy construction equipment, and a lot of it,” Gorton said. The contractor would also be asked to dispose of the snow it plows and other materials. The company could also be called in to help after other types of disasters, such as clearing debris after a tornado.