CITY OF CHAMPAIGN PREPARES FOR SNOWFALL
The City of Champaign Public Works Department is mobilizing resources in preparation for the snowfall forecasted to begin Saturday evening, February 28, 2015. According to Public Works Operations Manager Ernesto Salinas, “We are following the plans outlined in the City’s Snow and Ice Control Plan. Public Works staff has prepped the snow plowing equipment. A crew will work report at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon and work until 11:30 p.m tonight. This crew will plow primary City streets with the goal of providing for the safety and well-being of the City’s residents and visitors. Another crew will report at 11:15 p.m. and work until 11:30 a.m. Sunday to clear primary streets and begin plowing secondary streets. We will continue around the clock operations until the plan outlined in the snow and ice control plan is complete.”
Forecasts are calling for three to six inches of snow beginning after 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening and ending Sunday evening. Due to dry snow and cold temperatures, driving conditions could become dangerous with limited visibility and snowpack on roads. 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. Once activated, this information will be distributed via the City’s website and other local media. To view areas affected by this ordinance, please visit the City’s website. Citizens are reminded not to place snow cleared from their property into City streets.
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/snow ), 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.