Department of Public Works crews were out in force Wednesday, clearing snow and ice from streets and storm drains, taking advantage of calmer conditions to make progress before the next round of winter weather.
In Atlantic City, DPW Superintendent James Grams said crews were focused on snow removal to make room for whatever may fall next.
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"We've got approximately 26 trucks, probably 30 with crews with shovelers and everybody out in the street," Grams said. "Right now, our snow operation is snow removal, just in case whatever's impeding this weekend, there's a place to put the snow."
Grams said the storm created difficult conditions after the snow transitioned to rain and then refroze.
"It went to a rain event, and then the rain froze on top of it, solid chunks of ice, very hard on the equipment and vehicles," he said. "But we're managing."
Atlantic City DPW Director Crystal Lewis said cleanup operations would continue through Friday.
"Operations will continue on throughout the course of Friday, so we're trying to just clean up everything," Lewis said, adding that crews are prepared for another storm. "We're prepared, we're out there, we'll be out there with everything we have."
While Atlantic City's main roads were largely cleared down to blacktop, some secondary roads remained coated in slushy ice.
"They're doing pretty good with the roadways. It's just, unfortunately, it melts, it refreezes, and you just gotta repeat the cycle," said Allison Calabrese of Cologne, New Jersey.
Nearby in Ventnor City, DPW crews were also working long hours to clear streets and storm drains.
Supervisor John Conner said workers have been pushing through exhaustion to stay ahead of the next storm.
"It's not easy because everybody's been out for hours and hours every day," Conner said. "Then they come back the next morning, they're doing it all over again. These guys are doing a great job."
Conner said crews were taking advantage of calmer weather conditions.
"With the sun out, it's a blessing," he said. "Snow is lying there, we can pick it up, get it put into trucks, get rid of the snow."
In Margate, road conditions appeared to be among the best in the area, with both main and side streets largely cleared. The frigid temperatures, however, did not deter resident Bob Fietkiewicz, who was spotted wearing shorts.
"I hate pants. I wear shorts all winter long," Fietkiewicz said. "No matter how cold, I just love wearing shorts."
Officials across the shore communities said cleanup efforts are expected to take several more days and urged residents to remain patient as crews continue preparing for another possible storm this weekend.