Milwaukee DPW adjusting for staffing shortage in order to handle expected snowstorm
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee road crews continue to pre-treat roads as part of a storm preparation plan that began days ago. The city acknowledged DPW is understaffed, but the department says all resources will be shifted in the coming days to snow removal.
The city did not have enough plow drivers, so it shifted staff from other areas to be at full strength for snow removal. But that will leave a vacuum elsewhere, meaning some city services will likely be delayed.
DPW Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said, "We are short staffed from what we've had previous years, but we are able to remove the snow. There could be a delay in other services, which could be garbage collection might be delayed by a day or two."
What’s expected to be a massive snow removal effort began before the first flake even fell. More than 270 DPW plow drivers reported to work Wednesday, unsure when they’ll clock out, but ready to dig out Milwaukee streets from the approaching storm.
Clearing more than 7,000 lane miles throughout the city is an enormous task, even at full strength. So, city leaders are trying to set reasonable expectations: the goal is passable -- not spotless -- streets.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, "Please understand that a major snowfall event like the one that is coming requires days to properly clear regardless of how many people are deployed out there."
DPW has been honing its snow removal plan for years: pre-treat surfaces ahead of time, try to clear main roads first once the snow starts, then hit the neighborhoods.
They say people should not expect curb-to-curb clearance. Sometimes it might be just one pass down a neighborhood street, but it will be enough for people to get out.
Kruschke said, "We're going to do a lot of experimental things just to give people access to those main arterial roads."
The holiday weekend will not impact the snow removal plan: crews will alternate 12-hour shifts as long as it takes until roads are clear.
And there are no travel restrictions in place, but city leaders are urging people to stay home if they can, knowing many of them will drive this weekend compared to a non-holiday weekend.
Mayor Johnson said, "If you don't have to travel, please stay at home. Stay at home."
In the meantime, crews will continue to work around the clock as the snow arrives. But that snow is not what concerns them the most.
Kruschke said, "We don't know how the wind capacity is going to affect the blowing snow. We've heard ranges from up to 20 inches down to 2 inches. But it's the 50mph winds we're concerned about right now."
So far, the city has not triggered a snow emergency, which would impact where cars can park on city streets. But you can sign up for text updates from the city to get alerts if one does go into effect.