Brushing the streets with sandblasting sand is started

In Imatra, the brushing of the streets will start tomorrow. The long-term forecasts promise warm spring weather, so it was possible to start the sand removal. The first thing to do is brush the street dust around shops and downtown areas, i.e. the places where people move the most. Brushing of bike paths will also be started, but at this stage sand will still be left in the tunnels and uphills in case of possible slippage. Night frosts may cause interruptions in brushing. 

- We collected sand for the first time this year already in January, when it was five degrees warm, says the responsible master Kimmo Kauhanen From Imatra real estate and regional service Oy. 

With the change in operating methods, Imatra has aimed to reduce the amount of sandblasting sand. Snow and ice surfaces have been hardened with the plow blades and sandblasting has been targeted at places where people move. This year, less than 1000 tons of sandblasting sand have been used, which is about a quarter of the sand used in the snowy winter. The reduction of sand brings clear savings, not only in the amount of sand but also in work. It takes the machines three hours to remove about one hour of sanding from the streets. 

- This is one of our sustainable development eco-deeds. I hope that we will also be able to influence the amount of street dust and thus the spring air quality. By bringing the cleaning of the streets earlier, we aim to shorten the troublesome street dust season, continues Kauhanen. 

There will be more information about the progress of street cleaning during the spring. 

More information: Jarmo Varjus, Imatran Kiinteistö- ja Luepalvelu Oy, Area Maintenance, phone 0400152659, jarmo.varjusimatrankipa.fi (jarmo[dot]varjus[at]imatrankipa[dot]fi)