City Adds Additional Muscle To Indy Snow Force10.28.10

October 28, 2010
The Indianapolis Star (News From You)

Today Mayor Greg Ballard and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director David Sherman introduced further enhancements to “Indy Snow Force,” the City’s updated snow removal program. This year’s improvements add additional muscle to the City’s snow program and are expected to offer even more service to residents without increasing costs to taxpayers.

“Each year we’re continually looking for efficiencies and ways to bring better service to taxpayers,” said Mayor Ballard. “Since 2008, we have upgraded our snow fleet by 88 percent - bringing in newer, better equipment. Additionally, we are working with more minority, women- and veteran- owned businesses to expand the City’s contract snow fleet, creating more job opportunities during the winter season. All of these measures are essential to improving service to taxpayers while keeping costs down.”

Indy Snow Force plows more than 6,000 lane miles of City streets in an average snow event. More than 150 pieces of equipment, including 91 salt trucks, can be mobilized during these events. In snowfalls of six inches or more, the City plows residential areas to assist residents in gaining access to and from their neighborhoods. This adds an additional 4,000 lane miles of streets to the City’s already extensive work load. The use of snow contractors allows the City to more than double the snow fleet at a moment’s notice for increased service. Additionally, snow contractors can more safely navigate narrow residential streets than larger City snow trucks.

Last year, the City upgraded Indy Snow Force with 37 new snow trucks and added 20 additional snow trucks this spring for a total of 57 brand new trucks, a 60 percent upgrade of the fleet. The new trucks replaced the oldest trucks in the fleet, including 1995 and 1997 vehicles.

Additionally, the City upgraded its residential snow contractor fleet last year by more than 80 percent allowing the availability of an additional 300 pieces of equipment in snow fights of six inches or more. This year more than 50 snow contractors have been recruited for service in residential areas if necessary. The increased contract support will add an additional 400 pieces of equipment to the snow fleet in residential areas during snowfalls of six or more inches.\

The City’s mission is to provide safe streets through efficient and timely snow and ice control. Indy Snow Force accomplishes this through better equipment and resources, along with more efficient management practices.

When navigating difficult weather conditions, consideration for others and good sense often prove the difference in keeping roads, residents and commuters safe. Mayor Ballard encourages residents to do a few common sense things to help in successfully getting through the winter season. Tips include:

• Familiarize yourself with the Indy Snow Force Snowplow Priority System.
• Residents and businesses should do their part in keeping sidewalks, drives and parking lots clear of ice and snow.
• Work with neighborhood associations, community groups and youth groups to keep sidewalks, school crosswalks, parking spaces and fire hydrants clear.
• Check on aging and disabled neighbors when you can to ensure their safety. Be considerate of young children and at risk citizens when clearing away snow.
• Businesses and building managers can help by shoveling adjacent sidewalks and bus stops.

During winter weather events, residents can contact the Indy Snow Force Coldline, the hotline for up to date snow removal information, for daily snow plans or to report ice and/or snow emergencies at 317-327-8000.

For more information about Indy Snow Force, or to learn more about the Snowplow Priority System visit www.IndySnowForce.com.
http://newsfromyou.indystar.com/posts/city-adds-additional-muscle-to-indy-snow-force