LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The City of Little Rock will be closed Friday because of winter weather conditions. Public Works crews will be out clearing bridges, overpasses and streets of any wintry mix.

Public safety and essential personnel will report to work at their designated work times.

“Public Works and Fleet Services crews will be working day and night to clear streets and maintain equipment,” City Manager Bruce T. Moore said. “Residents should be very cautious if they get out on the roads and be mindful of the city and emergency personnel working today.”

With much of the state under a winter weather advisory, the highest accumulation of snow was expected to fall across Central Arkansas during Friday.

Public Works crews, which are assigned to nine snow routes, will be on 12-hour rotating shifts day and night as needed. Once the nine snow routes have an established path of travel, the trucks will enter neighborhoods to begin clearing streets. 

The Public Works snow and ice removal program consists of 16 trucks with salt spreaders and snow plows. Additional support equipment includes loaders, backhoes and motor graders, while two smaller trucks with salt spreaders are utilized on hospital emergency driveways, police stations and fire stations. 

3:30 p.m. UPDATE

With another round of snow hitting Central Arkansas, City of Little Rock Operations crews are working to around the clock to continue to make sure roads are free of the wintry mix.

Streets were mostly clear of snow and ice by early afternoon, but a second wave of winter weather was poised to keep the city’s 16 trucks and other support vehicles running. Crews were able to complete the nine major snow routes, which includes bridges, overpasses, major arterials, and streets that connect to hospitals and public safety facilities. By afternoon, crews were beginning to clear some neighborhood streets.

Trash pickup, which didn’t run Friday, is expected to run Saturday so that Solid Waste crews can finish all routes.

Resources:

Twitter  @CityLittleRock

Facebook Facebook.com/CityLittleRock

Red Cross @ArkRedCross

Entergy Arkansas @Entergy

Arkansas road conditions  www.idrivearkansas.com

National Weather Service http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/ and https://twitter.com/NWSLittleRock 

Winter preparedness http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Power outages http://entergystormcenter.com/index.aspx