Tulsa Winter Weather Response Jan. 21 at 1:45 p.m.

1/21/2024

The City of Tulsa is preparing for the upcoming winter weather which is expected in the form of freezing rain and ice. Crews will start reporting to work at 6 p.m. this evening to begin pre-treating roads with salt and our brine systems. At midnight, the next round of crews will be reporting to work to continue the response. City of Tulsa crews plan to work through Monday afternoon or until the weather has moved away from Tulsa and roads are passable for motorists. Drivers are asked to slow down and keep their distance between themselves and other vehicles on the roadways and drive as conditions warrant.  

As background, the City of Tulsa is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the Gilcrease Expressway (except for the Turnpike section), the L.L. Tisdale Expressway, and all arterial (main) streets. Other highway segments in Tulsa are the responsibility of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT).  

After a snow or ice storm begins, the goal is to make expressways and arterial streets safe and passable as soon as possible. These resources are available to attain this goal: 

• 63 trucks mounted with salt spreaders 
• Of the 63 trucks with spreaders, 48 have mounted snowplows. 
• 4 trucks equipped with liquid applicator systems for brine application with an additional 4 mounted snowplows (total of 52 large snowplows) 
• 7 4x4 pick-up trucks equipped with snowplows 
• 2 motor graders for use as plows 
• 210 employees (including drivers and support staff) 
• Approximately 6,500 tons of salt and still receiving material 
• 2 salt brine mixing systems with 25,000 gallons of salt brine 

Crews are assigned to 36 specific routes totaling approximately 1,770 lane-miles, which is roughly the same distance as driving from Tulsa to San Francisco. 

Trash & Recycling 
Haulers will make every attempt to collect all trash and recycling routes on Monday, but collections may begin a little later with staggered start times due to hilly areas and temperatures. The haulers will begin with trash service and then work on recycling. Please make sure that all carts have the lids securely closed as the rain will significantly degrade the recycling. If haulers run out of daylight before collections are completed, residents are asked to leave carts at the curb and every effort will be made to collect as weather permits. Bulky waste should be collected as usual, but there will be a late start on collections as some employees are involved in the weather response. 

Residents are asked to remain patient as haulers will make every attempt to collect trash and recycling while ensuring employees and equipment are safe to travel in neighborhoods.

Warming Stations 

• John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave.: open 24-7 
• The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave.: open 24-7 
• Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St.: open 24-7 

Waterline Breaks 
The City continues to respond to waterline breaks from this week’s extreme cold, with crews working around the clock to make repairs. 

If you see a waterline break on a City street or in a right-of-way, call (918) 596-9488. Before calling, the best way to check to see whether the break has already been reported is through the City's waterline break dashboard, which can be found online at www.cityoftulsa.org/breakboard. 

AMR/True Reads Update 
The City’s True Reads program is expected to start on Monday, January 22. However, due to the likelihood of ice and freezing temperatures, crews may be delayed until Tuesday, January 23. True Reads is a citywide effort to replace 145,000 residential water meters with new automated meters. The program also includes a systematic investigation into service line material.  

Tulsa Ready App 
Want to receive updates on emergency weather information and create a disaster plan for your family? Download the free Tulsa Ready app, which is compatible with Android and iOS systems.