Tulsa Street Maintenance Prepares For More Winter Weather

For the third time in three weeks, Tulsa city plows are in position and ready for more winter weather.

Tulsa resident Erin Roberts says she knows what to expect. "Once we get into the main streets it's fine, [but] I do wish that the streets in our neighborhood were addressed a little bit more," said Roberts.

The stores in the Brady Arts District downtown are also prepared for more snow. Bob Fleischmann of the Brady Arts District Business Association says the repeat snowstorms haven't affected his business. “There was little impact down here, because the roads stayed relatively clear."

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) says contract crews are already up to 4,700 hours in clearing highways and interstates. “Once we start these operations, they certainly don't end once the storm finishes. We have work that continues several days afterwards depending on the type of precipitation that falls," said Kenna Carmon of ODOT.

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Carmon says two of its plows were hit by cars during this last round of snow and freezing rain. She stated that once the snow starts, plows will focus on keeping one lane cleared to keep traffic moving.

With a couple of days between the winter storms, street maintenance crews restocked on sand and salt, and have been fixing pot holes.

The City of Tulsa's Michelle Allen says Tulsa isn't running out of money due to the overtime budget. "We have plenty of salt, [and] we have employees that are going to be ready and on standby this weekend, so really we just want to make sure everyone's safe," explained Allen.

If and when this winter storm arrives, crews could go on standby at 2:00 a.m.

ODOT says crews will work from the left lane to the outside shoulder clearing the roads.