Morgan Finke
Published: December 4, 2008

DUBUQUE- Mother Nature got a jump start on winter weather this Thanksgiving weekend, and the city of Dubuque, was ready for it.

“All of the trucks were prepared as far as some trucks were with chains and some don’t depends on where they’re at but they were gone and all ready to go for what may have happened over the weekend and it did,” said John Klostermann Director of Street Maintenance for the City of Dubuque.

Last season’s salt shortages was an issue, so the city started planning early this year.

“Preparation actually started in May when we first placed our order for the salt that we use, traditionally we used between 6 and 7000 tons for the city of Dubuque,” explains Klostermann.

The question is, where all of Mother Nature’s abundance goes after a storm, “we start with the main streets and move into the residential areas trying to remove snow,” explains  city works employee Brian Odefey.

Keeping the roads of Dubuque salted is not an easy job.

“Like last season with all the snow it just got to be a long season, but we survived,” said Odefey.

Citizens of Dubuque can help workers like Brian in a very simple way.

“If it’s possible to move your car into a parking lot instead of on the street it would really help out,” adds Klostermann.

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@lctv13.com