
KINGSPORT – Kingsport Public Works Departments Streets and Sanitation Division will host its annual snow removal equipment inspection at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 9, previewing several new enhancements designed to aid and speed the removal of snow and ice from public roadways. This event will be held at the Public Works Complex 609 West Industry Drive, Kingsport, TN.
In the battle to keep motorists and commerce flowing, the City of Kingsport will be deploying three new pre-treatment systems that will apply salt brine before most snow events. According to Streets and Sanitation Manager Ronnie Hammonds, the salt brine creates a barrier between the roadway and snow or ice, making it easier to remove.
In all, the Streets and Sanitation Division now features 27 Pieces of snow fighting equipment, and 27 plows, ready to push snow aside. In addition, a new salt mine has expanded salt storage capacity, with about 3,100 tons of salt on hand.
Hammonds said this tonnage should prove sufficient to handle 3 to 4 average snowfall events, depending on the snowfall and weather conditions at the time. In general, the prioritized list for snow removal focuses first on State Routes, followed by major collector streets, and then neighborhoods.
And, while Public Works crews stand ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep traffic moving, theyll also be just a little more efficient in snow removal efforts this year with a switch to Poly-Electric Salt machines on pickup trucks. Being all electric, its expected that this change will reduce gasoline consumption by a number of gallons over older models.
For more information on the Snow Removal Equipment Inspection, please contact Ronnie Hammonds at the event or phone 423-229-9545.