Local cyclists can expect to find more trails cleared of snow this winter
The Rochester City Council on Monday approved a request by the Parks and Recreation Department for a $137,000 piece of snow removal equipment.
The purchase will allow the department to clear additional trails at a cost less expensive than adding additional staff or contracting the work out.
"While this equipment is expensive, we view this as an opportunity to better utilize our staff over the longer term," said Mike Nigbur, head of the park and forestry division.
Last winter, the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee requested the clearing of more than 5 miles of trails in northwest Rochester. The city council at the time opted against spending the additional $40,000 it would take to contract out the service.
The new equipment will cost the city about $23,000 per year for the next six years. The top priority will be clearing a 3-mile link between downtown and the northwest part of town.
The equipment is expected to be available sometime between November and mid-January, depending on stock. Last year, the city spent about $70,000 clearing roughly one third of the city's 153 miles of trails.
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(Cover photo: File / CC)
