Jefferson to be clear of snow this morning

Naperville snow crews have been working 24 hours a day, using 70 pieces of equipment to remove an estimated 10,000 tons of snow.

But not everyone has been thrilled with the city’s decision to close Jefferson Street between Main and Washington streets to use it as a snow dumping ground until the snow could be hauled to its final melting place. Thursday evening, several 8-feet-tall mounds of snow served as a snowy playground for children climbing them.

City spokeswoman Nadja Lalvani said the city contracted extra help Thursday to ensure Jefferson Street was clear and all the snow was hauled to the parking lot near the Public Works facility at 180 Fort Hill Drive on the edge of town.

“We decided to stage the snow on Jefferson after deciding that location would have the least impact on parking in the downtown,” Lalvani said, adding the city cleared all streets with angled parking spots. “But don’t worry. Those mounds will disappear tonight and it will all be gone by morning.”

Lalvani said crews were sure to clear the sidewalks on Jefferson so foot traffic could get to local merchants.

It could be two weeks before the city has a cost estimate for the cleanup, including bills for overtime, rented equipment and contracted help but she said the blizzard cleanup is likely to be the most expensive snow removal operation the city has undertaken.