NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Boder, Deputy Public Works Director
218-625-3836
Heavy snow and wind, unfrozen ground challenge Public Works crews
St. Louis County Public Works crews have been out in full force all day, trying to keep up with this season's first strong winter storm. Conditions vary across the County, with the northern area being the hardest hit.
Plow operators in the Cook area were reporting 10 to 12 inches of snow on the ground by 1:30 p.m., with low visibility and strong winds blowing trees down on roads. Whiteout conditions have forced plowing operations to halt in some instances.
The plowing of gravel roads and private driveways is being delayed because the ground is not yet frozen. Traditional snowplow trucks with heavy plows would likely cause significant damage on the unfrozen ground, and so motor graders and loaders will need to be used instead. Given the limited number of motor graders and loaders in the fleet, residents who they live on a gravel road or who contract with the County for private driveway plowing services, should expect delays.
"Crews will be working as late as visibility allows," said Jim Foldesi, St. Louis County Public Works Director. "And we'll be back out before daylight on Saturday. This is a significant storm, and our employees are doing a phenomenal job in very poor conditions. We appreciate the public's patience and urge no unnecessary travel at this time."
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining approximately 3,000 miles of roads in St. Louis County's vast infrastructure.
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