Ask Mr. Answer Person: Shouldn't street crews be clearing sand right now?

The City of Decorah's new street sweeper

(John e-mails Mr. Answer Person): "Given this awesome weather, shouldn't the City, County and State be clearing sand off the intersections and turning lanes in this area?  (The current situation) is unsightly, unsafe, dirty and dusty!"

Mr. Answer Person says: "There's a two-part answer to your question, John.

The first answer is that the City of Decorah's street sweeper has been in operation all this week and is doing a fine job of clearing away the sand that was spread to keep city streets driveable during the winter.

The reason the City operates a street sweeper is the same as the reason the County and State don't--the city is concerned about sand getting into its storm sewers and causing major problems.

But once you get out away from the City of Decorah, there are only a few locations in Winneshiek County with storm sewers.  As a result, the county typically lets the rain wash away any sand that still remains on roads.  Think of it as a way to save tax money--letting Nature do the job naturally.