January 16, 2008

Starting at Midnight on Thursdays, Public Works crews with the City of Charlottesville are scheduled around the clock to treat the roads.

"We'll be changing the way we attack the storm as it goes on" said Public Works Director Judith Mueller Wednesday, "Our goal is first of all to clear all the primary roads first".

Right now, the City of Charlottesville has 12 thousand Tons
of Salt on hand to pour onto City roads.

They will also use sand, and a mixture called Magic Minus Zero to melt snow and ice.

Wednesday, about 40 crew members were asked to go
home early, and show up again at midnight to begin their routes.

The City has 24 trucks and snow plows on hand to navigate City Streets and City-run parking lots.

Each truck is equipped with a navigation system that keeps Supervisors in-the-know about where each vehicle is at all times.

Major roadways are also monitored by video camera and viewed at the intelligence transportation system located off 4Th Street.

This allows City Officials to track traffic-tie ups year-round,
but is a good tool during wintry weather.

"Our major concerns are traffic back-up, if one section of road gets congested then we can adjust timings at intersections to allow more green time, or less depending up on the needs"
said Lonnie Randall, who will be viewing the cameras throughout Thursday's predicted Snowy weather.