Topeka city manager addresses plow efforts following historic blizzard
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Since Saturday, Jan 4, crews have continued to work day and night to clear roads in the capital city. The difference now, the city has discontinued 24-hour operations with 12-hour shifts.
As of 7 a.m. Monday Jan. 13, day and night crews are back to a normal eight-hour watch. This follows a historic blizzard where Topeka saw more than 14 inches of snow.
While the city continues to work, one Topeka resident told 27 News it didn't do their job fast enough.
"People were frantic to get out," Topekan David Schaeffer said. "And then what they did was just push the snow to the side so they made it even harder for the people who were already parked on the side to get out."
Although not every street is plowed down to the pavement, Topeka City Manager, Robert Perez said that doesn't mean it wasn't addressed. Many streets experienced extreme layers of ice that a plow could not pick up. There were incidents where plows had to strictly lay down de-icing material and then come back later.
However, after many people's complaints about missing their street, he has a message.
"If we did, I do want to apologize for any misrepresentations or any misstatements that were put out there," Perez said. "But your concerns were heard and as soon as they were brought to our attention, they were prioritized and we addressed them."
27 News also asked Perez if the city has any plans to be better equipped in the future. He told 27 News they've talked with technology companies to better track where crews are at, if blades are up or down and even how much deicer material is being put down. As for the streets that still have packed ice on them, Perez said they will continue to treat it.
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