Changes to cleanup plans pay off in Elgin

Old Man Winter has pummeled the Chicago suburbs this year, but for the most part the city of Elgin has been up to the challenge,

Elgin leaders said Wednesday that changes from last year - such as 13 new plows, three new plowing routes for just major roads and an ample salt supply - have helped snow removal become timely and efficient.

"I think our efforts have been exceptional," said Mayor Ed Schock. "I think I've probably received the fewest complaints about snow removal than I can recall."

Last winter, a late leaf drop and early season snowstorm had city crews scrambling and people complaining.

Over the past year, city leaders have made several changes. They bought a year's supply of salt in advance, spent $2.3 million on new equipment, hired a private firm to plow cul de sacs, and started an odd-even parking schedule for four test neighborhoods to make it easier to plow.

David Lawry, Elgin's general services director, said the winter that has been rougher than the last in many respects.

For example, from Nov. 29 through Jan. 8, the city has had 16 storms where plows had to be dispatched. During the same time from 2007 to 2008, there were 12 storms.

Lawry said the area has seen 33 inches of snow through Jan. 8, compared to 18 inches the winter before.

Elgin plow drivers also have logged 63,180 miles through Jan. 8, an increase of nearly 50 percent over the 43,000 driven the winter before, Lawry said. City crews have used 7,779 tons of salt compared to 6,712 during the same time last year, but only 246 pounds per mile compared to 320 pounds per mile last winter.

Lawry said crews salt major roadways but only intersections and hills in neighborhoods. However, the new snow routes allow plow drivers to focus on side streets right away.

"Last year, we didn't get to it until after it stopped snowing," Lawry said.