| Trash Pick-Up Hindered by Unplowed Residential Streets |
According to one driver, the rescue vehicle is just
travelling from one trash truck to the next as the
drivers struggle to make their rounds in Lovleand
nearly one week after the Christmas Blizzard of
2006.
The trouble of many unplowed residential streets is
compounded by city vehicles not really meant to be
driven in the snow.
The trash truck featured right, Mack Front Loading
Waste Hauler, is not recommended for driving in the
snow as all the weight is in the front. According to
the driver, when empty this vehicle is terrible in the
snow since the engine and loading device are on the
front and there is no weight in the back.
travelling from one trash truck to the next as the
drivers struggle to make their rounds in Lovleand
nearly one week after the Christmas Blizzard of
2006.
The trouble of many unplowed residential streets is
compounded by city vehicles not really meant to be
driven in the snow.
The trash truck featured right, Mack Front Loading
Waste Hauler, is not recommended for driving in the
snow as all the weight is in the front. According to
the driver, when empty this vehicle is terrible in the
snow since the engine and loading device are on the
front and there is no weight in the back.
Side loading and rear loading trash haulers are known to be better on slippery streets filled with ice or snow. The City of Loveland does have plans to
convert the fleet into more snow friendly vehicles as the current ones are replaced over time. In the meantime, a policy that doesn't make residential
streets a priority even after all the primary and secondary streets are cleared is proving disasterous for city services as many of the trash trucks are
getting stuck and unable to finish their routes even before 8:00 PM.
A number of residents who have complained to this website and the Reporter-Herald say they see a city plow drive over their unplowed street but with
the plow in the up position. It likely can be the truck pictured above or other recovery vehicles going to recover stuck city vehicles. Therefore, they
don't have time to plow the residential street since the objective is to rescue municipal vehicles stuck on the many unplowed residential streets throughout
the city. Unfortunately, this becomes a downward cycle as the equipment is being used for more immediate needs.
According to one city snow plow driver who asked that his name not be used, the City of Loveland hasn't improved the plowing equipment or municipal
vehicles comonserate with the explosive growth experienced in the last five years. "There are just too many residential streets now that we simply don't
have the equipment and people to plow even long after the storm has passed," he said.
As the weather forecasters warn of another large storm moving into Colorado, many residents are still unable to use their two-wheel drive vehicles in
their subdivisions. Maybe the City of Loveland snow plowing priorities need to be reconsidered and scaling-up those services to understand the true
cost of uncontrolled growth in Loveland and its impact on residents' quality of life.
convert the fleet into more snow friendly vehicles as the current ones are replaced over time. In the meantime, a policy that doesn't make residential
streets a priority even after all the primary and secondary streets are cleared is proving disasterous for city services as many of the trash trucks are
getting stuck and unable to finish their routes even before 8:00 PM.
A number of residents who have complained to this website and the Reporter-Herald say they see a city plow drive over their unplowed street but with
the plow in the up position. It likely can be the truck pictured above or other recovery vehicles going to recover stuck city vehicles. Therefore, they
don't have time to plow the residential street since the objective is to rescue municipal vehicles stuck on the many unplowed residential streets throughout
the city. Unfortunately, this becomes a downward cycle as the equipment is being used for more immediate needs.
According to one city snow plow driver who asked that his name not be used, the City of Loveland hasn't improved the plowing equipment or municipal
vehicles comonserate with the explosive growth experienced in the last five years. "There are just too many residential streets now that we simply don't
have the equipment and people to plow even long after the storm has passed," he said.
As the weather forecasters warn of another large storm moving into Colorado, many residents are still unable to use their two-wheel drive vehicles in
their subdivisions. Maybe the City of Loveland snow plowing priorities need to be reconsidered and scaling-up those services to understand the true
cost of uncontrolled growth in Loveland and its impact on residents' quality of life.
