Team effort to clear snow in Sedgwick County
Jan 10, 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Sedgwick County Public Works crews are among those that are treating and plowing roads after the second winter storm in a week.
There are multiple groups that respond to clear the roads. KDOT is responsible for state highways, and the City of Wichita is responsible for clearing designated city streets, including emergency routes and school-access routes. City crews do not clear neighborhoods.
Sedgwick County crews are also working to clear roads in the area. When the first storm system came in over the weekend, their crews worked 12-hour shifts, around the clock, up until Wednesday night. They got a bit of a break before gearing up for the next round of snow.
The majority of the 78 workers eligible to work in Sedgwick County's Department of Public Works, focused on spreading salt and sand.
"We started with all of our salt dorms full, and we are coming to the end of them. The end of the storm is a perfect time, because we're coming up at the end of our loads, so we'll be able to refill for the next storm," said Sedgwick County Engineer and Director of Public Works, Lynn Packer.
He said there are some problem areas that the county is still tackling, mainly on those roads that are more shaded that take longer to melt. The county considered using beet juice but didn't believe it would be as effective as the salt and sand.