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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />December 8, 2013 <br /> <br />CONTACT: Eric Johnson, Incident Commander, 541-682-4800 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br /> <br />Expect Packed Snow and Ice on Eugene Streets Monday Morning <br />Monday morning commuters can expect packed ice and snow on most Eugene streets. <br />Eugene Public Works crews will continue working through the night, but if overnight lows <br />approach Sunday’s -10 degree mark, crews likely will be limited to sanding priority routes to <br />provide additional traction. <br />“When temperatures drop that low, deicer doesn’t work,” said Incident Commander Eric <br />Johnson. “Our rubber-tipped plow blades can’t cut through the ice, and even spreading sand is a <br />challenge.” <br />Crews have been working round-the-clock since 4:30 a.m. Friday, when a major snowstorm <br />and arctic cold front slammed into Eugene, prompting the City of Eugene to declare an ice-snow <br />emergency. The ice-snow emergency remains in effect. Public Works officials will evaluate <br />conditions on Monday to determine if the snow emergency can be lifted. Until then, parking is <br />prohibited on priority routes. A map showing these routes can be viewed at www.eugene- <br />or.gov/snow. <br />During the day Sunday, crews plowed and sanded priority routes with a focus on streets in <br />the southeast hills. Crews also responded to clear catch basins and apply sand in the vicinity of <br />several EWEB water main breaks, including a flooding incident near Fourth Avenue and Polk Street. <br />Since the incident began, Eugene has applied more than 300 cubic yards of sand to city streets. The <br />Oregon Department of Transportation assisted Eugene by providing some highway sand from its <br />stockpiles in the Eugene area. <br />With the likelihood of slippery roads and obscured travel lane markings on Monday <br />morning, Johnson recommends that commuters leave plenty of time, stay well behind the car in <br />front you, drive slowly and signal turns well in advance. “We’re working as hard as we can, and I <br />know that a lot of streets are a challenge to drive. If you’ve got traction devices, this would be a <br />good time to put them on.” <br /># # # <br /> <br /> <br />Public Works Administration ● City of Eugene ● 101 E. Broadway, Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Phone 541-682-8421 ● Fax 541-682-6826 ● www.eugene-or.gov/pw <br />