Lexington officials review snow-and-ice response after back-to-back January storms

Commissioner Nancy Albright and Lexington streets-and-roads staff told the City Council on Jan. 27 that the city’s response to two named winter storms from Jan. 5–11 was hampered most by ice accumulation, fallen tree limbs and extremely low temperatures, and outlined operational fixes and longer-term changes the city will pursue.

The presentation summarized what crews did before and during the events, detailed the limits caused by ice (which requires breaking before plowing), and said city crews treated ranked roads first while responding to hundreds of calls about blocked trees and local streets. Commissioner Albright said the city pretreated for days, had contractors and staff in place before the storm and used beet juice mixed with salt as its main liquid treatment.

Why it matters: Lexington’s storms left pockets of long-lasting ice that affected people who walk, use transit and need safe school routes. Council members repeatedly pressed staff for specifics on how the city prioritizes schools, bus routes and sidewalks, and pressed for clearer public communication about what “treated” or “cleared” means so residents better understand expectations.

Most important details

- Primary operational challenge: officials said ice—rather than snow alone—made clearing slower because plows cannot reliably break ice; crews sometimes had to use repeated liquid applications or mechanical grating, which can damage pavement. Commissioner Albright said crews sometimes had to suspend treatment overnight when temperatures made chemicals ineffective and driving hazardous.

- Downed…