Snow Gates Return To Sioux Falls Streets

by Jeff Rusack, Reporter
February 22, 2013 6:26 PM


It's the most snow to fall in Sioux Falls in the last two years. And while it was only about a half a foot of snow, city crews and residents are busy cleaning up from the storm.

They're back. For the second time this season motor graders plowing 6 neighborhoods throughout Sioux Falls will be equipped with the moveable arms, known as snow gates.    

This is only the third time in two years the snow gates have been tested. Galynn Huber of the Streets Department is excited to get more data.   

“This should give us pretty good test data and that's what we're looking for. To find some data to see the expense to what the costs are going to be,” said Huber.

And what snow gates will cost is exactly what Huber is trying pinpoint when it comes to cleaning every residential street in the city.

“A lot of people have already made up their decision on whether they think they're good or whether they think it's bad. For me, it's basically trying to nail down a cost,” explained Huber.  

It's been almost two months since the last snow alert in Sioux Falls and plowing every street will be beneficial for drivers who use residential roads.  

“Now, that we're going to cover every street in the city of Sioux Falls with a motor grader we'll be getting rid of a lot of that ice,” said Huber.  

And while everyone wants their street plowed first, crews took a little more time making sure emergency ways were safe Friday morning.

“This lingered a little bit longer this morning than what we thought. We are just finishing cleaning up the emergency snow routes,” said Huber.  

As the snow gates are tested again this season, city officials take note to see if keeping driveways clear is cost effective.

Residents in Sioux Falls need to have sidewalks cleared by 8 am monday morning before neighbors can "call in" a complaint to the city.