COLUMBIA, MO (February 3, 2011) -

The city of Columbia Public Works Department is continuing to plow residential streets today. As of this morning, crews were about 40 percent through residential areas. Public Works is asking citizens to please be patient and crews will get to their streets as soon as possible, if they haven’t made it there yet. Citizens should not call Joint Communications or the Street Division Snow Desk to report that their street has not been plowed. These numbers are set up for emergencies and public safety concerns. The city’s snow plows are equipped with GPS units that help crews know which streets have and have not been plowed.

Due to the significant amount of snowfall this week and the amount of snow already on the ground from the last storm, the snow removal process has been slow.  The city rented specialized equipment such as front-end loaders and backhoes to help in residential areas where there is no room left on the streets to pile the snow. Staff from other departments is assisting with snow removal and hauling.

Citizens are asked not to park cars on the streets if at all possible. Streets are plowed more thoroughly if there are fewer obstacles to maneuver.