Officials Offer Update On Snow Clearing Efforts
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The city of Pittsburgh issued a Phase Two Snow Warning Thursday afternoon. That means crews will be working 12-hour shifts around the clock to clear the roads.
The city even called a news conference Thursday night to update everyone on their efforts.
Even though the snow in Pittsburgh has been light, it has been steady. As a result, it's been difficult for crews to keep up.
Around 9 p.m., crews went strictly into plow mode. That will continue until the snow stops falling.
It's recommended that residents move their vehicles off of the main roads and onto secondary roads or alleys.
Pittsburgh Public Works Director Rob Kaczorowski is hoping the snow stops by midnight.
"Tonight, with the temperature dropping like it is, salt becomes less effective as the temperature lowers. At 20 to 15 degrees, it takes about 20 minutes for the salt to be activated. So, what we'll do is start treating with calcium chloride, which keeps the salt effective up to 40 to 50 below zero,"Kaczorowski said.
"A storm like this, when we're out plowing and salting with 1,200 miles of street, it's going to take a while. Anywhere from 24 to 36 hours after it stops snowing."
If the snow stops by midnight, the goal is to have all the primary roads cleared by the morning commute. They also hope to be working on the secondary roads at that time.
