On Wednesday, the city of Reno unveiled it's 2018 winter preparedness plan.The public works department says it’s been ready to tackle rain and snow long before wintery weather ever even the Biggest Little City.
"We've been preparing since June, July, this is something in the back of our mind constantly,” says Travis Truhill, streets maintenance manager with Reno Public Works.
Now that storms are hitting the Truckee Meadows, sewer and street maintenance crews have one thing on their mind, and that's to execute their winter plan in a way that keeps the city clean and safe.
Truhill says approximately 20 plows operated by 60 drivers are tasked with clearing 2,300 lane miles within Reno’s city limits until roadways are clear. The truck operators tend to each street based on a priority ranking system.
“Priority one being artillery roadways, emergency routes, school zones, hospital areas, that kind of thing. Two is our collector roadways, lesser traffic volume, but still high. Lastly is priority 3, which is residential neighborhoods,” says Truhill.
In addition to removing snow from the streets, the heavy equipment will also apply a de-icing treatment to the ground.
“Brine solution will stop ice from bonding to the pavement section and make it much easier for us to remove snow as it begins to accumulate, instead of getting packed down and turned into ice,” says Truhill.
Rainwater accumulation can be a hazard as well, so 36 public works crew members will remove sediment and vegetation from storm drains systems to create a more efficient water flow.
“The bulk of our work is in and around the bar screens to keep those bar screens clear so the debris doesn't clog up and cause further damage,” says Ryan Bird, sewer maintenance manager with Reno Public Works.
In the case of a major flood event, the city has more than 600,000 sand bags on hand and ready to use.
Beginning this winter, Reno Public Works has a new brine mixer that's more reliable and more efficient. They've also constructed a brine storage facility in Stead, making it easier to distribute brine in the north Valleys and northwest Reno.
You can find more information about Reno Public Works’ snow and ice control methods at https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/public-works/maintenance-operations/street-maintenance/snow-and-ice-control
