13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Indianapolis rolls out 'Indy Snow Force'

Indianapolis rolls out 'Indy Snow Force'

Jeremy Brilliant/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - It may not be in the immediate forecast, but snow is on the way.

City planners say they're ready. This snow season, they're implementing changes that may mean your neighborhood streets getting cleared faster.

It was a snowstorm few will forget last January when more than 12 inches of snow blanketed central Indiana. While neighborhoods struggled to dig out, city officials say they learned a valuable lesson. Now more than double the number of contractors will be available to clear 6,000 lane miles in the city, including residential streets.

"We were glad to see the additional contractors sign up this year," said Jim Little, Department of Public Works.

Officials outlined the city's snow plan to various Marion County agencies, including school districts.

"I think we're going to be better prepared than in the past. Of course you can never predict the snow and the weather so you just try to do the best you can," said Tim Smith, director of transportation for Lawrence Township Schools.

One of the biggest and most noticeable changes are new snow plows. The city purchased 37 trucks, so about one third of the fleet will be new.

"It's going to add to our efficiency, as far as putting the salt out and a little bit less time on doing the routes, and reliability of the units staying out on the street longer, more load capacity," said Little.

"The fact that they have new equipment, they've designated what the snow routes are, they've added additional contractors so from my perspective they've prepared for this. So I think they're ahead of the game here," said Jim White, Marion County Emergency Management Agency.

The city will start giving out pamphlets at government offices and grocery stores beginning next week. The pamphlets have information about the city's snow fighting plan.

Indy Snow Force