snow removal (Fairmont, Clarksburg, Cheat Lake: homes, school, contractors) - City-Data Forum

hatnic · 01-19-2009, 05:17 PM

I am moving from out of state and was wondering if anyone knows if all streets are kept up during the winter in Fairmont or if it is only a select number. I am really concerned with Coal bank hill rd. in the White Hall area. My husband went by the other day and the road was iced over and today the road was covered with snow and had not been plowed. My concern is getting on and off this road when it snows. Any info on how the city works this or who I should contact would be great.

Thanks,
hatnic

David Kennedy · 01-20-2009, 02:54 AM

We have friends who live on Coalbank Road...some nice homes there.

Mike said, "As a secondary route, it is cindered as soon as the main roads are taken care of. School Boards are sensitive about freighting the kiddos and safety is the main issue."

After the last WVU home football game (where mortorists were stranded on the highways for almost 75 miles) a new attitude has taken place on winter road maintinence.
I suspect it was the thousands of personal cell phone calls to the governor as he flew overhead to the game in the State Police helicopter.

The state lost 2.5 billion in pension funds and cinders were a low priority until that day.

Winter is almost over...You are moving up from the South and we do have winter here...and a mild one usually.
These past 3 weeks have not been normal for us.

I work in the City of WhiteHall...it is a new city and its streets are subcontracted out to vendors to clear and cinder...I'm told that they take care of 23 miles of rural streets....for one or two trucks to plow and cinder that amount of roadway in a few hours is difficult. Most of these subcontractors sit in their trucks and begin the plowing when the snow gets to 2" deep...contractual.
I think they do a good job and keep the costing low...and it funnels money into some local guys pocket...

Take a chill pill...January thaw is here...and February is nice too...Spring is around the corner for us...A few more ice storms...a blizzard or two and it's all over...

I heard the birds chirping just 2 days ago...What we do while we wait? Make Gumbo and Jambalaya! Where's dat Shrimps!

Threerun · 01-20-2009, 04:41 AM

I drove from Gettysburg PA back to Clarksburg yesterday during our little 'storm'. Had to make a stop off Kingmont Rd and go down to a co-workers place on the river. Side roads were not cleared, but I made it around in my truck just fine.

Main roads, 68 and 79, really cleared. Only part of 68 that had snow on it was the stretch from Coopers Rock to Cheat Lake. No biggie.

hatnic · 01-20-2009, 06:50 AM

O.k. I don't mean to sound stupid but what is a cinder? I called the city to ask about the road and they said that it is cleared by the state. When I called the state they said that the road cannot be salted. They clear it and put cinders down. Which I am guessing that is why the road was iced over the other day. Do you know if there is another route onto coalbank hill rd. other than the main highway? My husband has past by the street twice and once his truck could not make it up the incline due to the sheet of ice over the road and yesterday the road was snowed over and had not been cleared. I know that I sound like I am in a panic but I am just not sure how I am suppose to get my kids to school and my husband to work. I know that this has been an unusual winter everywhere. We actually had 8 inches of snow in December in one day. Any information is helpful.

Thanks,
hatnic

snorpus · 01-20-2009, 07:39 AM

Cinders are small rocks formed from volcanic activity. They are characterized as having many voids and a rough exterior. They are commonly put down on slick surfaces to improve traction. Unlike salt or other chemicals, they don't harm vegetation.

You might look into studded snow tires if the road will never be salted.

hatnic · 01-20-2009, 07:45 AM

Where do I find studded snow tires and can you drive on them year round?

AliceT · 01-20-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatnic

Where do I find studded snow tires and can you drive on them year round?

Most mechanics or repair garages can order them for you.

millersangel · 01-20-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatnic

Where do I find studded snow tires and can you drive on them year round?

Any garage or tire store will sell them.

I drive a compact albeit one that's old and made of steel and heavy and high clearance and big tires. I bought snow tires just for the front (FWD). I've been getting around fine.

I got them at the garage I do business with. They stored the tires they took off for me. You don't want to use snow tires in the summer.

FWIW, I don't have studded ones, just regular snow tires.

hatnic · 01-20-2009, 08:17 AM

Does the cinder usually work well when they put it down on the roads? I am from the south where it never snows. I am just trying to figure out how big of a problem this is going to be for my husband and I to get in and out of this street.

Thanks,
hatnic

millersangel · 01-20-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatnic

Does the cinder usually work well when they put it down on the roads? I am from the south where it never snows. I am just trying to figure out how big of a problem this is going to be for my husband and I to get in and out of this street.

Thanks,
hatnic

The answer isn't simple. I don't know the road or how steep an incline there is. Other people might be able to address that.

Yes, cinder does work.

Driving on ice is always a problem. Snow, not as much.

If you've never driven in snow or ice before, you need to go into a big parking lot and practice sliding by hitting your brakes and learn how to handle it.

But as DK pointed out, it's almost over and this winter has been a cold snowy one.