As winter approaches, the City of Council Bluffs is excited to announce a new online tool for residents. When the first snow falls this winter, residents can access an online, interactive web map to monitor the status of the City of Council Bluffs Public Works Department's snow and ice removal operations.
The new web map, available on the CB Public Works webpage, will provide residents with a user-friendly and informative tool to stay updated on the progress of snow and ice clearance throughout town.
"With this new web app, residents will have near real-time access to track how streets are plowed during any snow event," said Council Bluffs Public Works Director Matt Cox. "Our objective is to increase transparency and understanding of snow removal operations."
The interactive tool, designed in-house, tracks all 18 snow plows, four motor graders, and two spreaders through their vehicle GPS devices and the City's mobile resource management system. The public can view streets that have been plowed and treated and see how many passes have been made on the road and what time the last pass was made.
For the safety of residents and equipment operators, there is a 15-minute delay in reporting. Residents can search their address or zoom into a specific area to see nearby snow removal progress. The map will only be activated during measurable precipitation.
"Per the City's snow removal policy, Public Works will always prioritize emergency routes and remain on those routes until the snow stops and they remain clear," said Cox. "The online map will show the progress on emergency routes and allow residents to see when equipment has moved into residential areas."
Council Bluffs is divided into 29 separate snow routes, which include 18 emergency routes and 11 residential routes. Emergency routes consist of major streets that facilitate access to public transportation, hospitals, schools, business areas, fire stations, police stations, and other public safety and critical infrastructure locations.
"The interactive web map enhances transparency and communication between the City of Council Bluffs and our citizens," said Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh. "It will empower our community to make informed decisions while our dedicated Public Works team works diligently to clear snow and ice from our streets."
For more information, please contact Public Works Operations at 712-328-4641.
