Omaha Public Works reviews snow plan (2024)

Omaha area school districts issue closings for Wednesday

Published: Dec. 20, 2022 at 5:24 PM CST

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Omaha Public Works officials reviewed plans Wednesday morning for clearing streets as the winter storm was approaching the metro.

City officials are keeping an eye on multiple weather sources, and have staffed according to forecasted snow ramping up around 2 p.m. and reaching from 2-5 inches.

“We are all in this together; it will take some patience,” Omaha City Engineer Todd Pfitzer said.

PLOW PLANS: Crews will move into 12-hour shifts to get roads cleared as heavier snow begins to accumulate. They’re anticipating that as winds make things worse in certain parts of the city, they will reassign plows from any of the five districts that get done clearing streets more quickly to those that need extra help.

Contractors also will be working to clear neighborhoods.

During heavier snowfall, crews work in two 12-hour shifts, and the shop goes into overtime, too. Storms are tough on equipment, and some do get knocked out of commission, so the city’s maintenance shops become a priority.

The city has 110 pieces of equipment available, including snowplows and graders. With the extreme cold temperatures predicted, salt becomes ineffective, so crews plan to switch from salt to sand around midnight Wednesday.

TRASH SERVICES: The city is still working with FCC Environmental to finalize a plan for trash pick-up following the storm. With conditions expected to be dangerous — winds, blowing snow, and extreme cold — worker safety is expected to be a factor, and trash pick-up will be affected: The city announced Wednesday afternoon that there would be no trash collection on Thursday and Friday.

As high winds are also forecasted, there may also be issues with carts blowing around, so that will also be a factor in the city’s final decision about post-storm trash collection plans.

SIDEWALKS: Pfitzer reminded residents that they are required to clear their sidewalks within 48 hours after the city declares its operations are over. After that time, the city will take complaints via the mayor’s hotline and public works. That will result in warnings issued to residents, giving them 24 hours to clear the sidewalk. If it still isn’t cleared, contractors will do so and bill the homeowner.

ROAD SAFETY: Officials stressed that this is the type of storm where it’s a good idea to take extra precautions — like throwing in a blanket or some extra warm clothes into your vehicle in case you get stranded — as temperatures and conditions could be dangerous.

Slow down, and give extra distance between you and other vehicles as there may be slick spots or drifting. Avoid slamming on the brakes and don’t venture out too far in the extreme cold if you don’t have to.

Watch the city’s update

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Several schools have opted to start their holiday breaks early as the Omaha-metro braces for an approaching winter storm.

Tuesday evening, several schools issued cancellations, including: Ralston, Elkhorn, Bellevue, Bennington, and Westside.

UNO is open Wednesday, but is closed Thursday.

Most Omaha Public Schools were already off, having started their holiday breaks this week.

CITY SERVICES

Additionally, Metro bus line has altered its schedule, and Omaha Public Works plans to have a news conference Wednesday morning to review the city’s plans for clearing streets.

Omaha Metro is running limited service on Thursday and Friday in anticipation of the extreme cold.

Metro says most routes on Thursday and Friday will instead run on their Saturday schedules - but not all will.

Route 16 will have three morning trips and three afternoon trips.

• Northbound Morning: 5:08 a.m., 5:55 a.m., 7:10 a.m.
• Southbound Morning: 5:15 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m.
• Northbound Afternoon: 3:34 p.m., 4:55 p.m., 6:10 p.m.
• Southbound Afternoon: 4:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:43 p.m.

Some routes could be on a detour or further reduced depending on conditions.

The City of La Vista has declared a snow emergency, effective from 6 p.m. Wednesday through noon Friday. All vehicles need to be moved off residential streets and emergency snow routes to give crews room to work.

Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.