Champaign — The City of Champaign Public Works Department is mobilizing resources in preparation for the snowfall forecasted to begin around 4 p.m. Thursday, December 5. According to Public Works Operations Manager Ernesto Salinas, “We are following the plans set forth in the City’s Snow and Ice Control Plan. Public Works staff has prepped the snow plowing equipment. Primary routes, bridges, overpasses and City sidewalks have been pre-treated with anti-icing agents. A crew will be held over after the regular shift until 11:30 p.m. tonight. This crew will treat and/or clear City streets with the goal of providing for the safety and well being of the City’s citizens and visitors.”
Forecasts are calling for one to three inches of snow in addition to the freezing rain that occurred earlier today. Citizens are encouraged to take appropriate precautions when driving: leave early, allow extra time to reach your destination, stay off the streets whenever possible, and be cautious around snowplows. In the event of two or more inches of accumulation, the Public Works Director has the authority to activate the Emergency Snow Routes and the Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance.
Public Works staff will continue to proactively monitor forecasts and to respond in a timely and efficient manner to threats of inclement weather. Citizens are encouraged to monitor the City’s website (www.ci.champaign.il.us), CGTV Cable Channel 5 and local media for information about street clearing activities. Whenever possible, Citizens are encouraged to keep City streets free of parked vehicles during this time to expedite plowing efforts and to utilize alternate off-street locations (such as the Hill Street Parking Deck in Downtown) in lieu of parking on the street.