If you're wondering when snow plows might be getting to your neighborhood, drivers want to assure everyone they're working around the clock.
On Thursday some of our 2 News crew members got an inside look during a ride along to see just how snow plow drivers operate. The drivers told us the city has a priority list for which streets to clear first.
"Priority ones are emergency vehicle routes, bus routes and school routes," said Tim Hendricks, Operations & Maintenance Manager Section at the City of Reno. "Those are priority ones, and priority twos are the ones tying into those that go to the hospitals, and priority three's are the neighborhoods."
The drivers tell us they appreciate everyone's patience.
"Our public has been fantastic. I think they understand when we get storms like this, the work that we put into it. We're doing our best to keep everybody safe and we appreciate the patience they have with this storm. I think we've done really well to keep our major arterials open for the safe commute. Now just let us work on the neighborhoods," adds Hendricks.
Almost 20,000 gallons of brine was used to keep our roads clear before the storm hit. The plows don't go out until there are about four inches of snow, helping them avoid tearing up the asphalt on the ground. They have 21 plows that have already plowed 23,000 lane miles so far.
Not to mention, the snow plow drivers are working extremely long hours to clear our roadways.
"Once they get here they're literally in the truck for 12 hours, bathroom break to get out to refill and fuel, and back they go," said Hendricks. "So they're in the truck for 12 hours usually eating on the go so they're going constantly."
When the snow plow drivers do get around to plowing the neighborhoods, they say the only unfortunate part is the snow piling up around driveways and sidewalks, so make sure you have your shovels handy. But in return the roads will be clear before the next storm.
If you'd like to learn more about snow plow operations you can check out their website by clicking here.
