Spring Break
Snow removal plan in effect
Tyler Lamb
Issue date: 12/17/08 Section: News
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"[Students] have [the service of] over 250 years of plowing experience here, there are no better plow jockeys that you can find," Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Steve Bertagnolli said.
A variety of snow removal improvements designed to tame inclement weather and keep sidewalks, and parking lots clear and safe this winter have been combined into the FP&M snow removal plan this year, all to ensure safe passage around campus
"Safety is our number one concern; we air on the side of safety," Bertagnolli said.
The goal for the university's snow and ice removal operation is to maintain and improve adequate conditions for students and staff to get around campus without incident.
"In the past the city declared a snow emergency, anyone who lives in the city cannot park in the city lots and streets, so they came here and [FP&M is] in blizzard mode, virtually plowing blind and there are cars all over the place," Bertagnolli said.
A major change in the snow removal plan was the enactment of the Snow Emergency Policy. The policy will help to enable safe, timely, and efficient snow removal from campus parking lots.
During declared emergencies nobody can park in academic or commuter parking lots, Bertagnolli said.
"During snowfall, I have nine people working for me, eight of them working during the daytime hours," Bertagnolli said. "But when we're in a full snow removal operation, on a weekend [we have] 13 people."
In addition, FP&M has two crewmembers to handle a second shift, to focus on hills, handicap stalls and main sidewalks.
"For the first time ever we have an evening shift," Bertagnolli said.
Bertagnolli said Facilities Planning and Management is responsible for 16 miles of sidewalk, in conjunction with all campus parking lots and streets.
The deployment of motorized snow removal equipment depends on snow accumulation.
In the event of accumulation of more than 1 inch Bertagnolli said "plow trucks, tractors and loaders... will be deployed."
FP&M does have trouble storing sand and salt, he said.
"We can't house much, we don't have enough storage facilities to store salt," Bertagnolli said. "We only have enough storage for 1.5 snowfalls, we're constantly having to bring this stuff in. If we have three days of snow storms we may not get it (salt or sand) in."
To help facilitate snow clearance, winter parking rules will be in effect until March.
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