Snow Berms are Cause for Hazard

Big snow piles make drivers nervous

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Jan 25, 2012 at 10:06 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2012 at 11:18 PM AKDT

It’s been several weeks since Anchorage was hit with heavy snowfall, but there are still plenty of reminders that winter is far from over.

Snow berms have been popping up across town, and drivers don’t seem to be too happy because they’re blocking streets corners.

“You can’t see so you have to drive farther into mainstream of traffic,” said Anchorage driver Lawrence Sheakley.

He said he’s almost wrecked several times, because he couldn’t see oncoming traffic.

“If you don't clear them off or at least shave them down so you can see the other cars coming – an accident is going to happen.”

Alan Czajikowski, the director for the city’s Maintenance and Operations Department, says it’s trying to keep up with the berms and is aware of the problem.

“Normally we don't have much of a problem until snowfalls like this year, that creates problems at intersections and along the roadways,” he said.

Czajikoski says it’s been a challenge to clean over 1,300 lane miles of roads within the city limits.

“We’ve had snowfall over 90 inches this year; it just takes a lot of effort to move that snow,” he said.

They say it will be some time before it can remove all of the large berms, and are asking for everyone's patience.

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Really said on Saturday, Jan 28 at 1:21 AM

It is about time this is being publicized to do something about it! Use the media to make a differnce, it really is bad out there as a driver to take chances with vision obstacles! Lives truly are in danger because of this, shame on the city for not being pro-active, now hopefully there will be a positive reaction to the situation that was shed light on. Thumbs up KTVA for bringing this to attention!

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Ulisha said on Thursday, Jan 26 at 8:44 AM

If the city was really trying to remove the berms from the road it could have been done by now. What I don't understand is why they have to do the main roads over and over when all they are doing is throwing sparks around. Other drivers get upset with you when you have to pull out further into the road just to see. So hurry up and get this taken care of.

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