Public Works Crews Sanded 71 Locations to Keep Drivers Safe During Friday’s Icy Weather
Early planning and preparation by the Public Works Field Operations staff last week made traveling Arlington roads safer for drivers during Friday's arctic blast.
Despite the minimal chance of ice forming on roadways per the early weather forecasts, Public Works staff began making preparations early in the week in case the weather predictions changed. Crews ensured sanders were operational and that salt sprayers were functioning and prepared to spray salt brine. Staff also established 12-hour work shifts in case operations ran overnight.
The Public Work's Emergency Operations Center dispatch team prepared the internal operation center to record calls, map sanding locations, direct sand teams, and provide hourly updates to key City staff including police and fire.
"Those preparations paid off as the snow began to freeze on bridges and overpasses just before rush hour Friday afternoon. Crews were quickly able to sand priority locations to help drivers make it safely to their destination," said Richard Carmichael, Interim Operations Manager.
During the next several hours crews sanded priority locations, which included bridges over Interstate 20, Interstate 30, SH 360, Division Street, Spur 303 and U.S. Highway 287. Crews also sanded some secondary locations.
In all, Public Works crews sanded 71 locations over an 8-hour period.
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