Waukesha County DPW crews continue snow cleanup in bitter cold temperatures

 

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dangerously cold temperatures have invaded our area after Friday and Saturday's heavy snowfall. In Waukesha County on Tuesday, Jan. 16, crews are still working to clean up the roads. 

Waukesha County has consistently had 51 public works drivers out clearing roads since last Tuesday. 

Since Friday, crews tackled nearly 100 downed trees and branches on county roads. 

Now, the issue is hardpacked snow and ice. 

Friday night, they switched from a salt and brine solution for the roads to a brine and calcium chloride mixture to help melt ice and snow faster. But even that isn't a perfect fix in sub-zero temperatures. 

“This storm was one of the biggest we’ve seen in almost a decade here, and the rate of snow, it’s hard to keep up, and once those temperatures fall, you’re kind of at the mercy to play from the backseat," said Hans Guderyon, highway operations manager for Waukesha County. 

Crews were out Tuesday clearing hardpack, drifts, and obstructed signage and streetlights. The cleanup will continue Wednesday. 

Officials are reminding drivers to slow down and leave space for plows.