CITY OF CHAMPAIGN PREPARES TO ADDRESS SNOWFALL
City Building Public and Public Works Facility Closed to Public on February 17
The City of Champaign Public Works Department is preparing to deploy resources to address the wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and snowfall forecast for Thursday. Current forecasts are calling for 1-4-inches of total snow accumulation locally. The snow will fall on top of freezing rain and some ice. The precipitation will also be accompanied by high winds, which may cause blizzard-like conditions at times.
Public Works Operations Manager Cory Conrad said, “We are following the plans outlined in the City’s Snow and Ice Control Plan. Public Works crews will report for duty at 7:00am Thursday and we will continue around the clock operations until the snow and ice control plan actions are complete.”
Due to the inclement weather, the Champaign City Building and Public Works Facility will be closed to the public on Thursday, February 17. However, City staff will be available remotely to answer phones and provide customer service during regular business hours. Snow and ice response staff will be available 24/7 at the Public Works Facility during the weather event.
Residents are encouraged to stay home if possible, to allow Public Works crews to safely treat and clear roadways. If you must travel, please use appropriate precautions when driving: leave early, allow extra time to reach your destination, and be cautious around snowplows. Whenever possible, motorists are encouraged to keep the streets free of parked vehicles during this time to expedite plowing efforts. The City recommends using alternate off-street parking locations (such as the Hill Street Parking Deck in Downtown) in lieu of parking on the street.
Public Works staff will continue to proactively monitor forecasts and respond in a timely and efficient manner to threats of inclement weather. Residents are encouraged to monitor the City’s website (champaignil.gov/snow), CGTV cable channel 5, and local media for information about street clearing activities.