Indeed, winter has arrived once more. The roads can transform fast into slippery, white paths that are far from enjoyable when stuck upon. Mother Nature unleashes a barrage of challenges this time of year, including wind, snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain and cold temperatures.
We at Public Works emphasize the need for everyone to prioritize safety during winter travels. Ensuring you are prepared for the weather you’re venturing into is a significant aspect of reaching your destination safely. Don’t forget to check the weather before embarking on your journey.
Our Public Works department is responsible for maintaining more than 171 miles of streets and roads in the city. Our trucks and loaders frequently adjust their speed, stop and navigate turns, doing their utmost to plow and treat the roads, streets and parking lots. It’s crucial to remember that these vehicles require space. They need to turn around at intersections and make wide turns. Passing a plow truck on the right is prohibited. Following too closely puts you in the driver’s blind spot. When you encounter our flashing lights, please provide the necessary space for us to work.
Additionally, blowing or pushing snow into the roadways is against the law.
In the downtown area, snow hauling is a collaborative effort between Public Works and several contractors. This plays a vital role in keeping our city streets and parking lots clean and manageable throughout the winter. Snowbanks can reach considerable heights, causing vision problems, snow storage issues, and water drainage challenges, among other issues. When parking your car, ensure it doesn’t obstruct these areas, and please refrain from driving through the piles we’re trying to move.
Sidewalk maintenance is a distinct challenge for us at Public Works. With over 20 miles of sidewalks in Presque Isle, we utilize two sidewalk machines operated by skilled individuals who transition from plowing in trucks to sidewalk machines as quickly as possible. This aids in efficiently clearing downtown sidewalks for the benefit of local merchants. The time required to clear sidewalks can vary from eight to 16 machine hours, depending on the amount of snow and its consistency.
Our department takes immense pride in serving the community, often working long hours in challenging conditions. This effort is aimed at making it possible for the public to commute safely. We urge you to play your part: slow down, allow extra time for your journey, and collaborate with us to maintain safe streets and roadways for everyone.
Harley Carmichael Jr. is the Public Works Director for the City of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 764-2560.
