Lincoln Street Superintendent Landers offers update on storm clean-up efforts

 

[May 30, 2019] 

On Tuesday evening Lincoln Street Superintendent Walt Landers shared information at the Council's Committee of the Whole about clean-up efforts after a week of severe weather in Lincoln.

He noted that the first issues began a week ago this past Saturday and seemed to be ongoing from then on. Tree damage in the city was severe in areas south of Keokuk Street. Landers noted some trees had to be completely removed, others just had to be trimmed back to remove damage.

Tree debris caused hazards on many of the city’s streets and crews worked to clean everything up and make roads passable. He said that by Friday, all the streets were cleared.

He also noted that some of the efforts of the city had been made in partnership with Ameren and that the utility company had been very busy taking care of their share of the issues. In many cases, Landers said that the city had to wait until the utility was finished with its work so that it was safe for crews to come into the area for tree cleanup.

Landers also noted there had been a few issues with local motorists, and he offered some strong advice that when motorists see that a road is barricaded off, they should not attempt to drive through the barricades. The barriers are there for public safety and worker safety and should be respected.

He said the same was true when city vehicles are blocking a roadway. He said there was one case where there was literally only inches of road surface not blocked and a motorist had still attempted to drive around the vehicles blocking the road, and, right into the line of danger.

Landers also noted that the city will be scheduling debris pick up services in the near future. He said that he will issue press releases announcing dates for pick-up as soon as the city has all its other work done.

He added that those who are currently cleaning up in their own yards can place their debris at the curb, on the lawn side, not in the street, for pick-up at a later date.

Landers also advised that with all that is on the ‘to do’ list at the street department, the street sweepers will probably not be running for a while. He said small tree debris in the roads has the potential to plug storm gutters and reduce drainage of rainwater. He urged Lincoln residents to be proactive and check the storm gutters on their streets and clean them off as needed.

Finally, Landers said that if anyone sees a tree in the city that appears to be damaged from the storms to contact the street department. He said that residents should also check the trees in their yards. Look for broken limbs that are hung up in the trees and also look for cracks or splits in tree trunks. And, if a resident is unsure if the tree is on city or private property, to please call the city before doing any work. The street department will assess the location of the tree and determine whether or not it is a resident responsibility or a city responsibility.

[Nila Smith]