No rest for the weary this winter

As we write this, outside the window is the distinctive music of a snowplow scrapping the latest flaky deposits off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

During most winters, Alaska's fleet of private and public snowplow operators complete their work with little notice - that is until one of them lays down a 3-foot snowberm in front of your driveway or boxes in your car. Then we are sure to take notice.

But this winter's above-average snowfall has reminded us that these men and women are working around the clock presently to keep the roadways passable for the rest of us. Without their blades, the rest of us would be hard-pressed to get to work - or the grocery store - and travel would be more difficult for school buses, law enforcement and emergency service vehicles.

Chuck Braun, Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance manager, said the borough and its six contractors are working around the clock to keep the main roads open, but that with heavier-than-normal snows, the borough is scrambling to keep up.

"The contractors are worn to a frazzle. They've literally spent days in the seat," Braun said. "It's not a big deal if you have a 20-inch snow event then don't see anything for another 10 to 12 days. When you get five events in a 10-day cycle, there's not enough time to do anything but blow the (main) roads open."

How much more snow than usual has fallen in the central Valley?

Dave Strickland, a hydrometeorological technician for the National Weather Service in Anchorage, said according to measurements at the Four Corners area near the intersection of Trunk Road and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, 35.1 inches of snow fell through Dec. 31, 2011. The average snow depth for the same time period is 22.6 inches.

More snow also equals a need for more cooperation. These frayed plow drivers need our help to keep roadways safe and passable. Here are three ways to help:

• Establish a "snow dump" area where snow plowed from driveways can be placed that's out of the way and clear of the public right of way.

• Do not plow snow from private property into the roadway or right of way.

• Do not block the right of way. Blocking the right of way is against borough code and can include tickets and fines for homeowners of up to $500 for each occurrence.

For questions or concerns about snow clearing on area roads, contact the borough's 24-hour road hotline at 745-9826.

We doubt any plow drivers have time now for ordinary things like reading the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, but if you know one of these hardworking men and women - maybe you are married to one you haven't seen awake in weeks - thank them, please, from all of us. Without you all, our vehicles would still be stuck in our driveways.