Sunday, August 25, 2024
Public works employees may not have the most glamorous jobs, but they are the backbone of city infrastructure as they work diligently to address challenges and keep communities thriving.
While their work often goes unnoticed, their behind-the-scenes contributions play an important role in ensuring that cities, towns and counties continue to function smoothly — especially in the face of adversity.
During a Granbury City Council meeting July 2, City Manager Chris Coffman recognized these unsung heroes for their efforts in resolving two serious incidents: a major traffic disruption and a critical infrastructure repair.
During a June 27 incident, two city streets workers along with Fire Marshal Kevin Jones responded to a significant vehicle collision involving an 18-wheeler carrying riprap rock (large boulders of concrete) on U.S. Highway 377. Despite sweltering temperatures, these individuals worked tirelessly to clear the road so traffic could resume.
"It was 101 degrees, and they were picking up every stone ... and then they used a blower to clear the small debris out of the road as well,” Coffman said. “It solved a huge problem for the traffic, otherwise we would have been waiting for a different crew from the trucking company to come and reclaim all their material and move it out of the way. This is a good example of our people succeeding and getting things done.”
Coffman explained the employees rose to the occasion and took initiative to tackle the daunting task on their own.
"Traffic was backed up for a long way prior to them being able to move the rock and stone,” he said. “And it wasn't a little gravel. It was big chunks of rock, the size of cantaloupes and bigger. Hats off to Cody, Kevin and Jeff for what they did at that crash.”
Similarly, just a few days later, another team of public works employees responded to a critical water leak discovered in a main transmission line July 2. Working through the night and into the scorching morning sun, the workers meticulously repaired a split PVC pipe, preventing a potential water crisis for the community.
"(The pipe) had been improperly installed decades ago upon a bed of rock and the rock had actually cracked the pipe to the length where the pipe was split for about eight to 10 feet,” Coffman said. “Those guys worked tirelessly this morning through the night trying to get everything lined up, but they accomplished it and got the water leak fixed today.”
Coffman commended the water department for its collaboration, highlighting the efforts of six individuals who worked tirelessly under the hot summer sun.
"You can't imagine how hot it is out there, digging down in a hole with no breeze, so hats off to Paul Gast (city water distribution/collection superintendent) and his team for putting that together and saving us with that water problem,” he added.
