$nbsp;

Crews moving lots of snow

 
LOADING
Dec 25, 2008 - 04:06:06 CST
By LEANN ECKROTH
Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck-Mandan city officials are drawing on manpower hours, salt and sand, fuel and equipment to manage December's record snowfall, but say they aren't running low on supplies yet.

Bismarck Public Works Director Jeff Heintz said this year's frequency and volume of snow has not been seen here for 10 years. He said other departments have been enlisted to help his staff of 30 remove the snow. According to Heintz, between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, crews put in 500 regular hours of snow removal and 120 hours of overtime.

Heintz estimates they have used about one-third of the city's sand and salt mix to clean the city's 350 miles of streets. "We've put down 4,000 tons of sand and salt on the city streets. We have 15,000 tons in our sand storage shed."

He said that is not remarkable, since about two-thirds of winter remains.

"We've got contingencies set up to order more," Heintz said.

According to Heintz, crews have put in 7,000 miles with sanding trucks alone.

He said during big winter weather events, crews are out plowing and sanding just after midnight.

He said the snow gates are being used as required by ordinance.

"We have seven plow units that we break out when we're plowing a storm like this. ... In those seven units, there is a motor grader, a front-end loader and a sander," Heintz said.

Bismarck crews were scheduled to continue their plowing until midnight Wednesday. If no additional snow is received, the street department will be removing snow in the Bismarck "No-Parking-Street Cleaning" signed areas.

Downtown snow removal will start at 1 a.m. Friday in the north-south streets in downtown signed areas.

Saturday's cleanup begins at 1 a.m. for the east-west streets in downtown signed areas.

Mandan Public Works Director Jeff Wright figures he has has used 3,000 tons of the sand/salt mixture to treat Mandan's 132 miles of streets. "We have less than 1,000 tons left. We used everything we bought." He said another 2,000 tons of the mix has been reordered for after the first of the year, but that will have to come from the 2009 budget.

Wright said cleanup for big snow systems requires split 14-15-hour shifts, including work after midnight.

Forecasters say compared to the past two weeks, Christmas Day should be a peaceful one.

Joshua Scheck, meteorologist at the Bismarck office of the National Weather Service, predicted today's low at 6 below zero and its high a welcome 20 above.

"On Christmas night, the low will be 10 above zero and there will be a chance of snow Christmas night. There will be freezing rain and scattered snow south of here."

Friday brings a 60 percent chance and blustery conditions by afternoon. Its high will be 18 above zero.

"We'll get between 2 and 5 inches of snow. Winds will start at 5-10 mph early in the day and then increase to 10 to 20 mph," Scheck said. "Winds will be gusting up to 30 mph. It will be spreading from the west to the east," Scheck said.

He said conditions will clear Saturday, although blowing snow will be a concern. A Saturday morning low of zero is expected. Its high will be 12 above. Winds will decrease to 10 to 20 mph.

"Sunday should be nice for travelers going back," Scheck said. "We'll have a high of 24. There will be no precipitation. Winds will be 5 to 15 mph."

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)
News > Local
   Printer friendly version
Crews moving lots of snow
Comments

GG wrote on Jan 1, 2009 3:51 PM:

" To Bono; Just so you know, I perhaps have not sat on a couch ,or recliner for at
least 5 yrs.!! Even though i have been retired for 10 yrs. !! I have been out cleaning,&/ or blowing snow ever since the first storm !! So, i guess you have no Idea,who your dealing with!!
Also,there are thousands of wonderful people in this city , don't want the city to
keep wasting our tax dollars,& keep raising taxes!! Oh ,hear me o great Bono!!
The people will not stand for this,& will start moving elsewhere!! Then we will have
another city like Price!! You turn,but try to understand what I'm telling you !!!!! "

tired of whining wrote on Jan 1, 2009 1:27 PM:

" Boy, wouldnt it be a perfect world if everybody got what they want when they want it. Theses guys are workin their butts off & doin their best to help us out here. There are priorities here, aka emergency routes. Do you want your little residential street plowed before the main arteries? Yea it would be nice, but we have to have the main routs cleared out so emergency vehicles can get to us. That is unless you feel like letting your house burn or drive yourselves to the hospital.
My hats off to the city worker.




gomy "

Bono wrote on Jan 1, 2009 11:56 AM:

" GG - Wright? What are you talking about? Sounds a bit delusional as do your rants about what the snow removal people should be doing. Maybe if you get off your couch and try it once you'd understand. Until then - keep blaring your complaints. You fit well into this city. Nothing is ever good enough for some of you. "

Mouth from the South wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:29 PM:

" I stand by my earlier comments.

I have been in downtown Bismarck, main street etc, when the trucks and snow removal equipment were trying to pick up snow. I have seen drivers sneak around, through and just about over this equipment. They appeared to have absolutely no concern at all if they got in the way of the trucks, etc. I was appalled by the behavior of some of these drivers.

I quickly exited the area and did not return until I knew that they were through on that street.

Yes, taxes are being paid and the taxpayer should definitely expect a return on those taxes. But, hey, get real here. There is absolutely no way that this equipment can be in all parts of Bismarck immediately after a storm. Somebody has to be last and, as far as I can tell, Bismarck is handling a difficult task as quickly and efficiently as possible. "

GG wrote on Dec 31, 2008 5:35 PM:

" To Bono; I don't think you even read ,or payed attention to what Judy,or I said in
our postings!! We are not saying the city is doing such a bad job!! But, like Judy
says,pointing out some of their short comings,for the purpose,so, they may improve,& hopefully stop wasting our tax money!! In a lot of area's instead of cleaning the streets,they are dumpping sand,& salt!! There is sand,&salt everywhere!! Could maybe this be why they are running out ??? DUH !!
On the other hand! I was in Bismarck Monday nite, on State St.,There wasn't any sand to be found,cars were spinning,& sliding all over the place! I had a heck of a
time even getting my car going! Even saw two accidents!
So, Bono does what Judy,or i say mean we should live somewhere else ???
Your last name wouldn't be Wright,would it ????? "

summerbaby wrote on Dec 31, 2008 2:41 PM:

" Having worked the nightshift for 13 years at several public safety orgainzations I fully understand working weekends and holidays. While I do have some sympathy for the Mandan snow plow drivers having to work extra hours, I have absolutely NO tolerance for the shoddy job done in NW Mandan of clearing the roads. Just a reminder to the plow operators...the streets in NW Mandan have TWO WAY TRAFFIC. That means the one swipe you take down the middle of the road (which has already been packed hard by days of drivers before your arrival) did absolutely no good. I know it has been snowing more than we have become accustomed to, but you are supposed to be professionals. "

Bono wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:28 PM:

" Judy - you do have a right to expect reasonable service BUT what don't you understand about the record amount of snow received in Bismarck in DEcember? You need to be reasonable. The city folks are not miracle workers as some of you are or think you are. They can only do so much with this amount of snow. "

Judy wrote on Dec 31, 2008 9:47 AM:

" As far as comments by people about how people should stay home, move out of ND, and other such realistic comments, may I remind everyone that we are taxpayers, and have a right to expect decent service. Also, improvement comes from looking at where your weaknesses are, and improving in those areas. It does not come from maintaining things the way they are. That said, I'd like to throw out a kudos to local couriers - UPS, Fedex, Postal Service, etc. Despite the horrific street conditions, they have been out there delivering packages not only on time, but sometimes early. These are people who would have a legitimate excuse for not doing their jobs, but instead, are just doing those jobs, with a little extra effort thrown in. "

GG wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:18 PM:

" To payload; Maybe because Mandan gets more tax money!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! "

payload wrote on Dec 30, 2008 4:46 PM:

" The comment that stikes my attention is the fact that Bismarck has used 4,000 Tons to cover their 350 miles of roads or 22,857 pounds of sand per mile. Whereas Mandan has used 3,000 Tons to cover their 132 miles of roads or 45,454 pounds of sand per mile. Now i understand this is not over one sanding by why is Mandan using twice the sand per mile than Bismarck? "

snoller wrote on Dec 30, 2008 3:25 PM:

" I agree with mouth of the south. The city is doing a good job considering everything. Get off the road, shovel yourself out, get a decent vehicle, or just stay home and shut up. That's the solution to 70% of the problems this town already has. "

Mouth from the South wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:54 PM:

" Didn't I hear on the news just last nite that Bismarck has app. 800 miles of road to plow every time it snows over 2 inches??? I am surprised that they can get it done as fast as they do.

Quit complaining. You live in a state that can have snow!!! Dig yourself out, stay home or get a vehicle that is suitable for use in severe weather and snow conditions.

And if more of you would stay home and off the streets when they are trying to remove the snow, they just might get it done faster. "

xx wrote on Dec 29, 2008 7:55 PM:

" Mike this is the most snow we had since 1997. Its hard to compare the other years. They do a good job. No matter what they do there is going to be whinners. If they plow to close to the curb it goes on the sidewalk then they complain. If they stay to far from the curb then the complaint they are not close enough. You will not please everyone all the time. I had them plow snow on my sidewalk just 20 minutes after I had just did them. No complaint because otherwise my car would have been 4 to 5 ft out in the street. Which is better. Good Job city workers "

Biff Malibu wrote on Dec 29, 2008 7:25 PM:

" On the contrary, I have to commend the Mr. Wright's entire crew. For the amount of snow we have gotten, it has been an almost non-stop job for them. The average person doesn't see that they are often coming out at 1am to get main roads, intersections, etc., done so that morning traffic has an easier, safer drive. With this much snow, there is simply not enough places to move the snow to and I find it very hard to believe that snow was intentionally pushed into someone's driveway. The ridges left at the end of a driveway are unavoidable with this much snowfall. The first snowstorm in November resulted in an at least 4 foot high berm of snow left in front of my drive by the plow. I went out and knocked it out with the snowblower and was happy the plow got to may street in such a timely manner. This is North Dakota. You need a lawn mower in the summer and a snowblower in the winter. Thanks again to the Mandan plow/sand truck operators! "

Bono wrote on Dec 29, 2008 6:55 PM:

" GG - Mandan is doing an excellent job of plowing. EXCELLENT. They are there very quickly. Try it once before you criticize them. Did you have a nice Christmas with your family? Many of them had very short, tired ones and were back at it the next day.

Really people - give them a break. Until you have tried it - you have no idea how exhausting snow removal is. "

GG wrote on Dec 29, 2008 5:28 PM:

" I'm not sure how Bismarck is doing?? But,I would like to notify Mr.Wright of
Mandan ,that there are problems with their work! I've seen the sand truck spred
only for the plow to come along 30 min. later,& scrape it to the side of the street!!
I've seen plows going thru a foot of snow without dropping the blade! I've seen
where the plow would push the snow into a persons driveway,but not in to his nieghbor's ,because he was out there watching him! I have seen them come plow
my street, then come do it again 30 min. later,when the side streets hadn't been touched! I am sure this kind of stuff is costing Mandan extra money,which means
raise to taxes again,& have more people move elsewhere! I.E. Goodbye city life!!! "

Avery wrote on Dec 29, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Good job city crews. We have alot of complainers and whiners out there who haven't lifted a shovel in years, and I'll bet alot of them have a big belly hanging over their belt from lack of exercise. Get a life people and show some respect. If you aren't a part of the solution, be quiet and get out of the way...... "

NDFREEZE wrote on Dec 29, 2008 12:51 AM:

" I thought we didn't use salt in Bismarck -- if we do they don't use enough -- the stuff I see them put down makes everything dirty and slippery -- thats about it.

The cheapest solution isn't always the best "

Loren wrote on Dec 27, 2008 9:30 AM:

" Don't know if any city snow removal drivers read this, but THANKS!
Awesome job! I know the required gates might be a pain, but I like them!

Thanks again guys, your efforts are truely appreciated...

Bismarck Homeowner. "

No money What wrote on Dec 27, 2008 8:37 AM:

" So Mandan has run out of money for a sand.

Isn't this a public safety issue?

Shouldn't City workers be called in from their paid Christmas vacations to serve the public safety issues? Remember the excuses for slow response when we got a blizzard the day before Deer Gun Season? Sorry Citizens, we got to go fill our tags.

There are many, many reasons Mandan's admistration is a joke, and just is still another one.

Well, at least we have an event center committee, and plenty of "business" development personnel.

Public Safety? Sorry, no money! "

James wrote on Dec 26, 2008 2:52 PM:

" A LOT of nay-sayers out there, but good work crew. Just a few points 1) This is PROOF that the SUV is not and should not be dead. If you want to drive those little cars while living up here, be prepared to sit for a couple days from Dec-Jan due to snow. As for me I drive a pick up for cases just like this, I will NOT rely on the city to dig me out of my house if I need to get out. 2) To "No Quarter" - Any "surplus" from a budget from a previous year gets carried over to the next year as a whole, not by allocation (I believe). LIkewise, if you did not use your allocation from a previous year, you are limited to how much you can budget the next year. So, to answer your question, they are limited to how much they can budget and please, there are no bonuses in City Government, give me a break. 3) Salt is a necessary evil in this line of work, just wash your car more often. It helps on the streets and helps keep the sand from freezing into one big pile while not in use. "

Mike wrote on Dec 26, 2008 1:49 AM:

" This is the worst I've seen Bismarck move snow! Absolutely horrible! The city might as well have a layoff and save some bucks! Happy Holidays! "

No Quarter wrote on Dec 25, 2008 5:40 PM:

" To: Tribune Reader wrote on Dec 25, 2008 1:21 PM . . . Look in the mirror and ask who is the ignorant one? "

be thankful wrote on Dec 25, 2008 4:30 PM:

" I have a good friend that has been working 7 days straight moving snow, sand/salting the roads. He's has had no time to be with his family or to really enjoy the holidays. Be thankful that he and Bismarck Roads department work hard to serve the city. I think we all "whine" way too much, when things are not to our liking. Remember the good ol days? We all had to shovel ourselves out and we were alot healthier people. Get off the couch, put the video game down and get a little excercise! "

to Chicken Little wrote on Dec 25, 2008 4:15 PM:

" Do you think global warming means all of a sudden winters in North Dakota will average 50 degrees? Educate yourself, please. "

Tribune Reader wrote on Dec 25, 2008 1:21 PM:

" To No Quarter: Please dont make comment like that without doing a little bit of homework first. Why dont you call up city hall and ask them about the money being carried over. I am kinda tired of people sitting at the computer making comments without knowing anything or using a phone to call someone and ask. It is kinda ignorant "

to JIM wrote on Dec 25, 2008 12:25 PM:

" the north side of town has grown more then any orther part of town. when you have a driveway then a mail box then 2 driveways. Open your eyes a little and look where and what little place to put snow you will understand why it is takeing so long to get the snow plowing done. If we didn't have the driveways and such to worry about we can get the job done in one 12 hour shift Now it takes 3 shifts or more to get the snow plowing done. depending on the amounts of snow we get. "

No Quarter wrote on Dec 25, 2008 11:51 AM:

" I am just curious! What happens to all the money carried over in the snow removal budget through the past 10 winters, when there wasn't that much snow to move? Was the excess money used for bonuses and/or vacations for the employees. There should hundreds of thousands of tax payers dollars in a fiscal balance remaining over the years. Where is that money? Why is there no transparency for the taxpayers money? "

MAHONRI wrote on Dec 25, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Quit using SALT on the roads. A major pollutant, contributes to rust and corrosion and poisons the roadsides.
Use sand and do a push to drive slower, buy winter ice and snow tires or studded snows.
A lot can be done to make it easier to drive in the winter and SALT on the roads is so costly in so many ways that we all pay for it for years. "

Chicken Little wrote on Dec 25, 2008 10:52 AM:

" More proof of global warming. the sky is falling. "

no brainer wrote on Dec 25, 2008 10:00 AM:

" A big thank you to the crews. Merry Christmas, hope you get to enjoy your families for the holidays. "

eddy wrote on Dec 25, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Good job guys and merry christmas to you and your familys. Lots of Archie Bunkers out there. Its your time get out there and get the overtime while its here.
lets keep bismarck taxes the highest in the state. Not by choice but i had to venture into the streets on thursday, a fact, its not the condition of the streets, bismarck has so many idiotic people when it come to winter driving, lord help us! "

JIM wrote on Dec 25, 2008 9:31 AM:

" having lived in the same home in bismarck for 20 years, the plowing of residential streets in northwest bismarck leaves a lot to be desired, a day or 2 sometimes understandable, but 2-4 days, borders on someone making poor decisions and i'm not talking about the plow operators. "

abc wrote on Dec 25, 2008 6:46 AM:

" I was wondering where the Bismarck snow removal folks were yesterday. it just seemed like we should have seen a plow. Sure enough, at 6:30 last night the grader and the front end loader with the snowgate came down the street.
I guess there is just a whole lotta snow out there for these guys to plow.
I think they are doing a good job. Thank you.
Also, I want to comment on how valuable and how appreciated the snow gates are for the driveways. They make all of the difference in the world. "

Post Your Own Comment
(optional)
   
All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.
Local Headlines:

Bismarck News

North Dakota News

Recent Headlines:
LOADING

Copyright © 2009 Bismarck Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises.  -PRIVACY POLICY