Fairbanks crews battle elements to restore city services; residents urged to clear rights of way

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - City maintenance crews are returning to a full schedule this week, tackling a backlog of trash collection and snow removal after recent frigid temperatures slowed operations.

Jeremiah Cotter, Director of Public Works, confirmed that while trash service saw a late start Tuesday due to the cold, teams were in the field and expect to be caught up by Wednesday.

Residents can expect a return to their normal collection schedules as the weather warms over the next several days.

The focus for snow removal shifts to residential neighborhoods beginning Wednesday, with crews scheduled to enter the Slater and Brandt subdivisions.

Operations will expand to the Townsite area east of the city core on Friday, followed by Bermark on Saturday and the Aurora neighborhood next week.

To ensure plows can navigate narrow streets, particularly in Slaterville, officials are asking residents to move all vehicles out of the public right of way.

Failure to clear the streets before crews arrive at 7:30 a.m. could result in vehicles being towed.

Despite the challenges of fluctuating temperatures and heavy snowfall, city workers are pushing to meet their service goals.

Cotter expressed gratitude for the community’s cooperation during the recovery efforts.

“We are attempting to get out there and get the job done,” Cotter said, noting that crews are working through the recent “drops in temps” to accomplish their tasks.

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