Due to unseasonably high snowfall amounts, the Fargo Public Works Department continues to work 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to clear snowfall from roadways and remove high snow piles from the sides of streets. In addition to the 24 department-owned vehicles, Public Works is using 18 additional contracted vehicles to amplify snowbank removal efforts along streets.
University Drive and 13th Avenue South are fully clear of snowbanks, according to Director of Operations Ben Dow. Crews have removed more than 10,000 loads of snow in the first 50 days of the year. The department is focusing on reducing snowbanks along the most heavily traveled roads as its first order of business. A string of snow events has required crews to shift their focus towards clearing roadways at times. Public Works strives to plow the 2,069 lane miles of Fargo within 24 hours of the end of a snow event. As soon as roads are cleared, snowbank reduction is a top priority.
Snowbanks have grown especially tall this winter with frequent snow events. Dow says the department is aware of the issue, and is asking for some patience as crews deal with future snow events, and bank reduction. Currently, snowbanks can only be reduced along major roadways at night, to avoid disturbing traffic.
Upcoming snow events may temporarily divert focus away from snowbank removal, but Dow reiterates that progress will not stop. “Please continue to call Public Works with areas of concern, each will get assessed and prioritized accordingly,” said Dow.