Snow removal rant

[Bun-bun]

    My area(Hampton Roads VA) got 6-7" of snow on saturday, as,I'm sure. the rest of the folks on here did. Here's the difference: My town (Norfolk) has 7 snowplows. That's right, SEVEN! to serve a city of 200,000 people. VDOT has a policy that they don't offer help to residential areas until their main job, interstates are cleared completely. That should be about Tuesday.
     I was in P.G.County MD for the 2 feet of snow that fell just before christmas. The county plowed the residential street in front of my parents house once during the storm, again the following morning, and again about 6 hours later. By the afternoon of the day after the snow fell, I was able to drive back to Norfolk VA with no problems at all.
     My street hasn't been plowed yet, and I doubt that it ever will be. we're expecting rain on Tuesday, and that'll clean the street. The main "Snow Emergency Route" that my neighborhood empties into is currently a lane and a half each way plowed down to about an inch of what became ice as soon as the sun fell.
     A recommendation was made several years ago to our city council to purchase plows that could be attached to the 45 dump and stake body trucks that the city already owns. It quietly died. I guess it's cheaper for the city to just close all of the schools and give all city government workers (Including themselves) a snow day.

[zooom]

I feel you on that rant...even here in Montgomery County, there are neighborhoods that don't get touched for a few day afterward...my current street gets hit right away since I am right off a snow emergency route...so I'm thankful....much different than other neighborhoods I've lived at in the past.....maybe they need to consider doing what Frederick County,MD does in terms of subcontracting out to independant plowers to get their direct areas under contract done when it comes down...

[herm]

im surprised you have any govt owned plows down there...

[dolci]

I feel your pain.  The cross street to me gets plowed, but mine doesn't usually get plowed at all if it's under 6".  As of yesterday, still no plow for me and we're expecting more snow (1-3") rather than the rain that they're forecasting down your way.

[angler]

I'm in Silver Spring.  We never get plowed if the snow is "too much."  I have yet to figure out what too much is.....I think it has to do with road priority and follow-on weather conditions.  Until Saturday, I hadn't seen a plow yet this winter, I live on a steep hill, and we have had quite a bit of snow (well at least for here).  It is actually quite amusing how many people get stuck on my hill.   Apparently my house is at that exact point on the hill where traction and momentum run out. 

We did get a plow late Saturday night, like 1:30am.  I suspect it was because of a 3 hour long traffic jam on the major street just down the hill that caused a bunch of folks to try and escape up my street.  Never heard so many econo-boxes completely wrapped out and sliding backwards!

[tocino]

I'm in Silly String too - my understanding is Mont. Co. blew the budget because of the size of the last storm. Heard it's the same in other parts. Can't spend money they don't have by sending out plows, but can afford to "lose" money by canceling things I guess (of course maybe they're stiffing the bus drivers, etc. when they cancel so they save there too).

[angler]

I'm in Silly String too - my understanding is Mont. Co. blew the budget because of the size of the last storm. Heard it's the same in other parts. Can't spend money they don't have by sending out plows, but can afford to "lose" money by canceling things I guess (of course maybe they're stiffing the bus drivers, etc. when they cancel so they save there too).

I forgot you're in my hood.  Nice Guzzi on that other thread. 

End of thread jack......

[zooom]

they could cover many stones by putting plow blades on the front of the transit buses!

[angler]

they could cover many stones by putting plow blades on the front of the transit buses!

With their driving skills?  I can only imagine the carnage!

[zooom]

With their driving skills?  I can only imagine the carnage!

you just gotta handicap them as far as the carnage....1 person for every 20 miles of driving while plowing is the acceptable limit....

[bdub]

The county plows ya'll out!!!
A bunch of farmers keep my roud clear with their tractors and plows and blowers. Maybe there should be more farmers where you live.

[rgramjet]

I think MoCo got smart this time and subbed some plowing out.....a landscape truck plowed my street yesterday.  My buddy in Fredneck is on the snow plow sub crew.  They bill $165 per truck, he is happy when it snows.

[tocino]

They bill $165 per truck, he is happy when it snows.

Then this upcoming weekend may make him happier!

[angler]

crap - I'd better go get TP and milk........

[zooom]

crap - I'd better go get TP and milk........

YOU MEAN....you don't have loads of leftover from the last metric ton you freakishly and feverishly bought before the last storm?...my god!....what to do?!?!?!?!


LOL...J/K!