Winter Weather Information
February 20, 2009 Update
DPW PREPARES FOR WEEKEND SNOW EVENT
Snowfighter teams have learned the value of winter season flexibility
INDIANAPOLIS
– The Department of Public Works (DPW) will once again switch gears as city snow fighter crews prepare for possible accumulations of 1 – 2 inches of snow forecasted for early Saturday morning, February 21.
"We’ve had our work cut out for us this season," said DPW Division Officer Todd Durnil. "In addition to combating potholes, which are usually more of a problem during the spring thaw season, we’ve had to contend with the largest snow event in 13 years, flooding, ice, and thunder and wind storms. It’s been a challenge, but we’ve learned that flexibility is key to providing city residents the quality service they deserve."
In response to tomorrow’s weather forecast, DPW will have a full call out of 75 crews beginning at 11:00 pm this evening. A second crew of 75 fresh drivers will relieve the overnight crew at 11:00 am on Saturday. All salt barns will be open with additional staff available to provide support.
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DPW also continues to encourage residents to take the following steps to avoid accidents:
• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
• Don't pass snow plows and salting trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
• Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
REMEMBER, a defensive driver adjusts his or her speed to the wet road conditions in time to avoid having to use any of these measures!
For up-to-date information on road conditions during a winter storm, visit our Operations Center update site. For other questions or concerns, please contact the Mayor's Action Center online or call (317) 327-4MAC for assistance.