~ from the City of Knoxville
With temperatures plunging and the possibility of winter’s first snowfall later this week, City crews are prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw at Knoxville.
The salt sheds are full – 2,000 tons. Plus, 20,000 gallons of brine have been readied.
If needed, the City’s Public Service Department can deploy 24 large salt and plow trucks – in addition to three medium-sized trucks to service downtown and hard-to-reach areas.
In a big weather event, Public Service can muster 75 or more employees to treat and then clear streets, and to keep approach routes to hospitals open.
“Our snow plan is reviewed and refined every year, and our managers and foremen just finished refresher training last month,” Public Service Director Rachel Butzler said. “Our salt stockpiles are full, and our vehicles and equipment have been prepared to handle harsh weather.
“Of course, we never want inclement weather, but if we get it, we’re ready. Our crews will proactively treat the roads and do everything we can to lessen the effects. And when snow accumulates, we work 24/7 to clear the streets.
“We understand that people depend on us, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
The City’s Snow Plan prioritizes Level I streets that carry the highest volume of traffic, as well as keeping access open to hospitals. The next-highest priority – Level II streets – are streets that connect to main traffic routes, feeder streets to connector streets, trouble spots, and hills.
Smaller Level III neighborhood streets are the next priority. These streets are tended to once Level I and II streets are passable.
For more information, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/SnowPlan.
Meanwhile, local churches and nonprofits are partnering to provide safe places for the City’s unhoused neighbors through Feb. 28 whenever the weather is dangerously cold.
Warming centers include Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley St.; Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike; and Eternal Life Harvest Center, 2410 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. (plus the 1801 Western Ave. location, if the MLK Ave. location reaches capacity).
Relaunch/Salvation Army, 409 N. Broadway, is now a seasonal shelter, open every night, regardless of temperature, through Feb. 28.
More locations may be added, depending on the weather and need. Visit the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability website – www.KnoxTNHousing.org – for up-to-date information on warming center locations and how to donate money or volunteer to help.
