DuPage cleanup crews shifting focus

DuPage County road crews are out salting the roads, clearing intersections and plowing to make room for more snow, if and when it comes.

But all county roads are passable, and in another sign that the situation is returning to normal, the county’s emergency warming centers were closed at noon Thursday.

Despite fears that the plunging temperatures would lead to more power outages, no residents used the shelters Wednesday night, said David Gervino, spokesman for the county’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

John Kawka, manager of highway operations for DuPage County, asked motorists to be patient as road crews work to remove piles of snow that obstruct drivers’ sightlines.

“Give (the plows) the right of way; they’re not going to be there long,” he said.

Cleanup and touch-up efforts will continue through the week on 950 lane miles of DuPage highways, Kawka said. The county has more than 33 snowplows and two road graders that are being used to push the snow back in a process called “shelving.”

“We want to make sure we have the ability, in case another storm comes, to put the snow someplace,” he said.

In the process, “unfortunately, some driveways will be plowed in again,” Kawka said.

“Please be patient with us,” he said. “We’re not being malicious.

“We’re using everything at our disposal to get our roads clear. It’s been a very long week; let’s make sure that tempers don’t flare up.”