Louisville reactivates snow crews to clear neighborhood roads, improve safety

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The city of Louisville is reactivating its snow team to work on additional roads that remain covered with snow and ice.

The city's snow crews have covered the planned 110 routes multiple times after a winter storm hit last week, but some areas are still dealing with dangerous roadways.

More than a week after the winter storm hit part of Kentucky and Indiana, freezing temperatures remain, keeping several inches of snow on the ground. In total, from two storms that arrived five days apart, 1 foot of snow and a layer of ice coated Louisville.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said 25 crews are back on the streets Wednesday after having restocked the city's four salt domes. Beyond the 110 routes and 2,700 miles of road that has already been treated and plowed, the city said Jefferson County Public Schools helped identify an additional 70 routes in neighborhoods that need attention.

Those routes have been the top priority for crews heading back out.

There are also 20 other school sites where help is required on streets and neighborhoods around those buildings. Greenberg said the city recognizes there are other roads in Louisville that still have dangerous conditions. He said the snow removal team will also be giving its attention to those places, but he didn't specify where that focus would be.

Crews won't be plowing, instead, putting down salt. Officials believe it will help melt away the remaining ice and snow.

"These crews are going to be putting salt on the street," Greenberg said. "You won't see their plows down right now, but we are going to try to get as much more salt on neighborhood roads across the city as we possibly can."

While some roads have remained filled with ice and snow, people have experienced delays in some services because of the conditions. Numerous people have said to WDRB they haven't been receiving mail.

Dave, who didn't share his last name, visited the Fern Creek Post Office to check on a certified letter that was sent last week. He paid $20 for the certified letter.

"It came to Louisville on the (January) 8th, it was sent on the (January) 7th. It has been sitting in town since the 8th," said Dave, who lives in Fern Creek.

USPS has not responded to WDRB's request for comment. However, a sign posted at the Fern Creek Post Office door Wednesday read, "Your mail is not here! Please wait for your carrier to deliver your mail. Clear snow and ice in front of your mail box."

Greenberg mentioned that the city took into account the delays in service like mail delivery and garbage pickup to identify the additional routes which will be worked by the snow removal team.

"We're focused on local service. If you have concerns like mail delivery cannot get through, please let us know by dialing 3-1-1," he said.

It's not clear when mail delivery will resume as normal, but the city's decision to reactivate Louisville's snow removal team could speed up the process and make it easier for mail carriers to safely deliver.

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