Not everyone gets to sleep in on a snow day: How public works manages 700 miles of roadway

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File Photo/Nashua Public Works

NASHUA, NH – Snow has not been a huge issue so far this season, but with two snow events over the weekend, the city’s Public Works Department was out in full force salting, sanding and plowing.

Full force does not necessarily mean enough hands on deck to do the job as quickly or efficiently as residents might expect, says Lauren Byers, Public Works Department Communications and Recreation Administrator.

There are two things the public should know.

“We are short staffed and need more permanent full-time employees right now,” says Byers. “We have many jobs posted on the city’s website. Also, a lot of our current plow drivers are new this year, so yesterday’s storm may have been only their second or third time plowing. Between those two things, it takes us longer and it may not be done to everyone’s liking, but for a city of 1,400 streets – which need plowing on both sides – over 700 miles of plowing, that’s a lot.”

Byers says when it snows it’s “all hands on deck,” especially with the many vacancies. So the public works employee who picks up your trash or takes care of your wastewater may also be the guy making sure you can get to work after the snow falls.

In addition to roads there are sidewalks that need clearing – 50 miles of sidewalk for every storm, primarily on school route and other areas of the city that have more foot traffic, Byers says.

As with most everything that happens in the city, Byers says they hear public “feedback” via social media or SeeClickFix after a storm. And in general it’s never “thanks for plowing,” or “great job.”

“Yes, I saw some social postings and some complaints, especially about ice, but there are factors that some people may not understand. After we plow the sun comes out and the temperatures go up and there is some melting, but especially recently we’ve had temps close to zero or below overnight. Salt doesn’t work when it’s below freezing,” Byers says, noting we’ve been experiencing some of the coldest temperatures in four years.

“So even if roads have been salted and sanded – and we throw in sand with salt to get a little more traction – once it is melted and frozen, it won’t melt that layer of ice that has formed,” she says.

And even using brine to get out in front of a storm isn’t foolproof.

“That’s a new thing the state does and we do – you’ll see those white lines on the roads – that’s brine that our trucks are putting out before every storm. But when you get rain before the snow, as we did on Friday, the rain washes the brine off the road and then the snow comes, and then you get sub-zero temperatures – and then, you get ice,” Byers says.

So the next time it snows, remember that the small army of 70-80 plow drivers who are working through the night are also the same people who will be picking up your trash and cleaning the sidewalks, and maybe – before you shake your fist at them with a salty social media post – consider the challenges.

“It’s a finite pool of people with an infinite amount of work,” says Byers.


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