When the snow flies, Cd’A plows will be ready

Although national weather experts are calling for a warmer and drier winter in the Pacific Northwest, which includes Coeur d’Alene, the city’s street department isn’t taking anything for granted.

Street superintendent Tim Martin on Tuesday presented the City Council with the 2014-15 snow plan and said his crews—as in year’s past—will be ready for whatever Old Man Winter brings.

“We are aggressive in how we plow,” Martin told the council.

Over the past seven years, the street department has made seven citywide plows per winter on average and 11 arterial plows. “Our plowing operations start when there are four to five inches on the road, or with two inches on the road and more expected,” Martin said.

Here is the plowing priority:

• Hospital access routes

• Major arterials (for example, Northwest Boulevard, Ramsey Road, Appleway)

• Steep hills and curves (for example, Cherry Hill, Fernan Hill, Armstrong Park, Tubbs Hill)

• 911 center (Julia Avenue)

• Major collectors (for example Seventh Street, Eleventh Street, Margaret Avenue, Thomas Lane)

• Bus routes

• Residential streets and cul-de-Sacs

The city works closely with local media to keep the public informed on plowing efforts. Constant updates on the plowing process will also be provided on the city’s Facebook page and blog. To access either site, visit cdaid.org.

Each year, the city names its storms with the help of local schools. This year, Canfield Middle School students Jared Harper and Noah Bell picked a sports theme for storms. The first storm will be called Aquatics.