Richmond officials better prepared for this storm

With a larger but still fragile fleet, the city of Richmond says it is better prepared for this weekend's snowstorm, but officials caution that road-clearing could take several days if accumulations are significant and include an icy mix.

"It takes us more time to remove the ice than it does the normal snow," Dexter C. White, director of the Department of Public Works, said yesterday.

After criticism of the cleanup of last weekend's storm, Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced this week several shortand long-term measures to improve the city's snow response.

White said yesterday that crews had started treating roads with salt and sand at 7 a.m., and that 69 pieces of equipment had been serviced and were standing by, along with 15 pieces operated by contractors, for a total of 84 pieces.

For last weekend's storm, the city had a vehicle and equipment fleet of 52, plus 15 operated by contractors, for a total of 67 pieces.

The current city fleet consists of six payloaders, five motor graders, 46 dump trucks with plows and spreaders, and 12 pickup trucks with plows.

"We've taken some trucks that would probably be out of service because of age and condition, and we've put them into the active fleet again," White said.

He cautioned that 10 to 15 of the vehicles are prone to breaking down and may have to be taken out of service this weekend. After last weekend's storm, the city bought five plows and eight spreaders to replace ones that had worn out.

As part of the city's new snow-response measures, crews also were prepared to start plowing when there was 2 inches of snow on the ground, rather than waiting for 3 inches. Officials have set a goal of clearing all main, nonresidential roads within 48 hours.

Officials are encouraging residents not to park their cars along 18 snow-emergency routes and are warning that the city could begin enforcing parking restrictions in those areas. The routes include parts of Broad Street and other roads in downtown, as well as Semmes Avenue, Mechanicsville Turnpike and Chamberlayne Avenue.

Officials have contacted the police department but have not made a decision to start towing cars, White said yesterday. Earlier this week, administration officials talked about a need for snow routes without realizing they were already established.

"We don't want to tow, but if need be, it may be one of the alternatives that we take," White said.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .