Contact Information:

Meg Matthews

Public Relations Manager

mmatthews@littlerock.gov

(501) 940-1717

City Crews Spread Sand and Salt Today – Back to Storm Debris Collection Tomorrow

(Little Rock – January 15, 2013)

Public Works Crews are spreading sand and salt on Little Rock streets today to help maintain safe driving conditions. As of now, the plans are to send those crews back to collecting storm debris tomorrow– both from what may occur today and from the Christmas storm. They are gathering approximately 130 tons of fallen tree limbs and bushes per day. These crews continue to work six days a week, ten hours a day in every ward.

“Safety is always our number one concern. Our Public Works crews need to sand and salt our roads to decrease dangerous driving situations,” said City Manager Bruce Moore. “We are closing City offices at 2:00 p.m. and cancelling our regularly scheduled Board of Directors Agenda Meeting. We encourage our residents to stay off the streets as much as possible until this wintry mix leaves our area.”

Solid Waste crews were able to complete most of their routes today, however they were pulled in early. Public Works would like residents to please put their garbage carts and yard waste at the curb according to their regular schedule. They expect to be caught up by the end of the day tomorrow. Also, Waste Management says any recycling that wasn’t picked up today will be included in Wednesday’s route.

Forecasters say this line of weather will leave Little Rock by tomorrow. If any resident sees storm debris in a street they may call 311 or go to www.LittleRock.gov and click on the blue 311 logo in the right hand corner of the home page to report it on line. All storm debris will be picked up in due time whether a 311 call has been made or not.  However using 311 can alert City crews to a situation that needs immediate attention.  

The City of Little Rock will be able to hire independent contractors to help with the cleanup if FEMA declaration is signed. It’s hoped this will happen in a week to ten days. It’s estimated there is 22,000 tons of storm debris in the City of Little Rock. So far City crews have collected 2,200 tons and brought it to the landfill.