SYRACUSE -- Equipment breakdowns hampered Syracuse Department of Public Works crews trying to clear city streets on Monday morning.

DPW Commissioner Pete O'Connor says 24 hours of snow, plus breakdowns on five of the city's big plows got crews behind.  "We did lose control for a little bit," he says, but now they're catching up. O'Connor says the heaviness of the snow made a difference--tougher to push for equipment that's seen more than its share of 'normal' wear at tear.  O'Connor says that the plow blades hitting the hard icy mixture closest to the road, and the wet snow just falling actually moved the big trucks around--that's hard on them.  And, there were wiper motor failures, too---no driving if you can't see!

O'Connor says says all the city's main roads and streets are clear for the evening rush hour, but because the city is behind in its plowing, some side streets may not see a plow until tonight.  When we checked at mid-afternoon, none of the hills off Burnet Ave. between Teall and Midler Avenues (under Henninger High School) had been plowed. 

It was a tough morning for AAA as well:  206 calls for assistance on Monday morning, up 20% from a normal day.
Calls were for 'off the road,'  'stuck in the driveway' and 'keys locked in the car.'  Some calls were answered early, but AAA prioritizes and some requests for help won't be honored until this evening.

It was also a tough morning for people shoveling driveways:  the heavy, wet snow was tough on snowblowers and more than one person we talked to was doing the snow clearing with a shovel. 'I think this will be it,' we were told. 
Given that Syracuse often gets snow into April, at least, probably not.  But hopefully the next storm won't be quite so messy.