They say there was 3.1 inches of snow, so they’ll plow residential streets and declare a snow emergency . .. . is there any question about why this is confusing to people? Didn’t have to move your cars that night, but yes for the next two nights if you live downtown. And yesterday they said they wouldn’t plow the streets, today they are.
CLEAR WALKS BY NOON TOMORROW
The now that started to fall on Monday afternoon, December 20, 2010 continued into Tuesday morning. All snow and ice shall be removed the public sidewalks by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.
UM . . . YEAH, WE’LL PLOW
SNOW PLOWING UPDATES
by Alan Schumacher, Streets Superintendent
posted December 21, 2010 5:46 AM
We received 3.1″ of snow during the afternoon and into last night. Freezing rain and freezing drizzle then fell during the overnight hours leaving a light ice crust on the residential streets that have not been plowed or treated yet and a filmy snow residue on the main streets and salt routes.We expect the morning commute to be okay but not perfect as the main arterials and salt routes have been salted and plowed throughout the storm and during the early overnight hours. As stated before, a slight film of icy slush does remain on the main streets but that will melt away as the salt continues to work and the temperatures climb to about 35 degrees today.
We began the process of plowing all residential streets with about 175 pieces of equipment this morning at 5:00 am. We purposely waited to begin the plowing process until after the majority of the freezing rain and freezing drizzle had fallen and the temperatures reached closer to the freezing mark. Since we only received 3.1″ of snow, we felt that people could certainly travel through the unplowed residential streets without many problems and we did not want to plow the residential streets and then have the freezing rain and drizzle fall on plowed and untreated streets causing icy and dangerous conditions. We wanted the freezing rain and drizzle to fall on streets that had snow on them so that the snow could absorb the ice and the ice would not be on the plowed pavement. We expect all streets in Madison to be plowed by early to mid afternoon.
A Snow Emergency will be declared for the City for both tonight, Tuesday, December 21 and tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 22. All people who must park on the street, including those in the downtown, Isthmus Snow Emergency Zone must abide by alternate side parking restrictions for the next two nights, from 1:00 am to 7:00 am. For more information, check out our winter weather website at www.cityofmadison.com/winter.
SNOW EMERGENCY DETAILS
No towing threatened . . .
The City of Madison has declared a snow emergency. That means that alternate side parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the entire City of Madison including the downtown/isthmus snow emergency zone.
Madison residents are asked to remove all vehicles from the street if possible. Residents who must park on the street this evening should park on the EVEN house numbered side of the street. Vehicles parked on the street Wednesday evening December22nd should be parked on the ODD house numbered side of the street. Violations of the alternate side parking rules are punishable by a fine of $60 throughout the entire City of Madison. Violators could also be towed.
The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until at least 7 a.m. on Thursday December 23rd.
Parking is available in the cashiered sections of city-owned ramps in the downtown area. During a declared Snow Emergency you can park for no charge at the City ramps from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. If you enter before 9 p.m. or leave after 7 a.m. you are liable for any parking charges before 9 p.m. and from 7 a.m. until the time you leave.
When parking in the ramps overnight, do not park on the top level so this area can be plowed. Be aware that vehicles stored in city ramps longer than 48 hours are subject to being ticketed and towed. Meters in lots and ramps are enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Parking is also available at the Brittingham Park Shelter parking lot off of W. Washington AV.
Madison residents can get complete snow emergency information at www.cityofmadison.com/winter or by calling 261-9111.
Brenda,
I enjoy your posts and information, but please give the snow business a rest.
I think the city guys are trying to do the right thing: not declare an emergency if they feel it may not be necessary, and waiting to plow/sand seeking the most effective use of our budget.
Yes… asking for flexibility is more complicated, but we can get text updates rather easily. I do, I am sure you do. Those communications do describe the rationale for the decision process.
Well . . . that’s fine, but then they have to acknowledge the role they play in the confusion, stop being so resistant to getting good information out there and not be so quick to tow and ticket. They can make this easier on people and themselves, but resist.
I can guarantee you, tonight, if they ticket with gusto, will be a record night, people are NOT expecting it. When I told Rob it was a snow emergency tonight, he was surprised. I mean, yesterday they pretty much said it wouldn’t be, the snow was done by midnight and people didn’t have to alternate side park last night and the snow was pretty crushed down by the freezing rain. Most people don’t get these updates . . . and they don’t understand the rationale. It’s confusing . . . and to constantly shrug it off and think people just don’t try to move their cars isn’t acceptable.