Next winter, Elgin roads will be clearer

The calendar says spring is here, but Elgin leaders are already thinking about next winter.

The city is poised to increase its snowplow fleet by 15 trucks, for a new total of 49.

However, the maximum amount on the road at one time will be 44.

The city will save five older trucks for reserve in case some break down during a large storm.

"We're going to keep some of the old ones as spares," said David Lawry, the city's general services director. "This year, we had one spare and at one time we had six trucks down."

On Wednesday, city leaders are expected to sign off on a $1.7 million purchase of 13 dump trucks with snowplows that also can spread salt and haul debris and other materials in warm months.

Two more larger trucks are slated for purchase in April, Lawry said.

Originally, the city was going to buy just five replacement trucks but upped its spending after residents and council members complained of poor snow removal service.

"It shows there's an increased awareness of the need to be more responsive to snow," Lawry said.

With more trucks on the road, the city will be able to plow heavily traveled roads with more frequency and residential roads sooner.

The public works department used 17 snow routes this past winter, each patrolled by two plows that worked in tandem.

After the new plows arrive, the number of snow routes will grow to 22.

Lawry said the city staff will present a report at an April 23 council retreat on how new snow routes should be mapped out and how the city should staff the additional plows.