The first snows are expected this Wednesday, November 20. But snow removal trucks have been roaming the streets of Pontarlier and the community of communes since November 15 until March 15. Work in advance which requires extensive organization and several levels of operation. “First, we have a coordinator who knows the weather conditions,” says Eric Lanquetin, director of roads and public spaces for the City. Depending on the forecast, he organizes snow removal from the roads and can trigger a patrol.
Depending on weather conditions
“Around 4 a.m., depending on the weather forecast, we have a patrol circuit to see the state of the road,” says Eric Lanquetin. The organized tours are known and mapped. In total, there are 17 in Pontarlier and 10 in the community of communes. Two separate plans can be implemented. “The green plan corresponds to moderate falls, less than 5 centimeters,” specifies the road director, “the black plan is assigned to the heaviest falls and widespread icy conditions. » In this situation, public space service agents, patrol officers, drivers… All the players are mobilized, both to operate the snowplows, but also for small machines intended for sidewalks and manual snow removal .
First operations
While patrols have already started the winter viability plan, the first serious operations are taking place this week. “This Tuesday should be more of a green plan,” announces Eric Lanquetin, “Thursday, we should have larger quantities during the day, we are adapting every day. »
Brine, more efficient and more ecological
Since last winter, the City of Pontarlier has used brine on some snow plows on main roads. A mixture of salt and water to replace dry salt and gravel on the roadway. “ Brine acts faster than dry salt, gravel is not effective for long and is found in rainwater networks », specifies Eric Lanquetin. The latter also provides a more ecological aspect, because it reduces the quantity of salt.
M.B
