Lincoln preparing for the season’s first snowfall ahead of a possible wintry mix

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Snow may be the last thing on your mind with all the warm weather we’ve been enjoying in Lincoln.

But a wintry mix is possible as soon as this weekend, and city officials are making sure there’s a plan in place.

SEE ALSO: Latest forecast from Storm Alert Team

The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department said Tuesday that it has made improvements to its winter operations plans in recent years.

Twelve multi-use trucks were added last winter, which officials say increased the efficiency of LTU’s winter operations.

These trucks are equipped to spray anti-icing material, spread granular salt and plow snow.

“This effort paid off last year by nearly doubling our capacity to apply brine and salt to arterial streets, faster and more efficiently,” LTU Director Liz Elliott said.

The fiscal year 2023-24 winter operations budget is $6.28 million.

“Our granular salt facilities are packed with more than 8,900 tons of granular salt,” Elliott said. “That material that helps break down the bond between the ice and the streets faster.” 

She said the city makes its own brine, which is a key component of its operations. 

Officials said the brine program saves the city $100,000 to $300,000 annually.

SEE ALSO: How Lincoln makes its DIY brine for keeping roads clear of ice

LTU has contracts with five different companies for residential street plow.

Before, whether residential streets were treated depended on many inches of snow we got.

But this year, those decisions will be made case by case.

LTU officials also invited residents to participate in its first Name That Snowplow contest at lincoln.ne.gov/NameThatSnowplow.

Starting Tuesday, residents can submit snowplow names for eight trucks.