Storm Debris Pickup Information

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Kathryn L. Taylor
200 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103
918 * 596 * 7411

News Release
Date: Jan. 10, 2007 Release 08-012
Contact: Communications Department, 596-7803

30,000 CUBIC YARDS OF DEBRIS HAULED WEDNESDAY;
VEHICLES PARKED IN STREETS HINDER PROGRESS

Debris-removal crews from Storm Reconstruction Services (SRS) hauled 29,470 cubic yards of debris out of Tulsa neighborhoods Wednesday, bringing the total to 40,329 cubic yards so far this week.

Sixty-six hauling trucks were used Wednesday. That number grew to 76 Thursday. Seven bucket trucks, used to lift workers with their chain saws into the tree crowns, were in use Wednesday. Fourteen more bucket trucks were added to the force Wednesday, for a total of 21 tree-trimming crews.

The work of collecting piles of debris was slowed in some neighborhoods and prevented at some properties because cars and trucks parked in streets blocked access to stacked debris.

Residents Should Prepare for Removal
* Tulsans on streets where debris needs to be collected are asked to avoid parking in streets. Motorists are also asked to avoid driving on blocks where crews are working. Many of the trucks are big enough to make passing difficult, and flying or falling debris from the loading process can also damage passing cars.

* Residents should pile debris as close to the curb as possible. Some debris stacked in yards, outside of the right-of-way and too far from the curb, cannot be reached with the grappling equipment that loads the debris into trucks.

* Crews reported that debris was left in some yards Tuesday and Wednesday because it was too far from the curb and not within the right-of-way. Any debris not stacked within the right-of-way cannot be gathered and disposed of by the contractor.

The monitoring company reported that crews will work seven days a week, during daylight hours, until the contract is completed. The crews are working in three zones --- one north of 11th Street, one between 11th and 51st Streets and one south of 51st. Up to 125 crews and trucks will be working city-wide. Monitors observe crews as they work and ensure that all debris is being removed.

Crews will make a first pass * which may take two weeks or more * through every neighborhood and remove as much debris as they can find easily accessible at curbs and in rights-of-way. Second and third passes will be made later after the first, high-volume passes are completed.

Trimming crews are removing damaged trees or hanging limbs from rights-of-way. Monitoring inspectors will help determine whether trees should be removed. Trees on private property outside of rights-of-way, but overhanging and causing hazards in the public area, may be trimmed back to the right-of-way line. Contractors will not be removing hanging limbs or trees that are totally on private property.