Lexington Unveils 30-Year Winter Response Overhaul

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton unveiled a 44-page snow-and-ice plan, described as the city’s biggest overhaul in 30 years, after criticism of the response to January’s storms. It adds drivers, aims to pretreat all ranked streets within four hours, shifts major-road treatment to contractors, combines some street categories, and expands route oversight, public updates and coordination with schools. Mayoral challenger Raquel Carter says the plan falls short and calls for stronger emergency coordination, earlier attention to neighborhood streets, equipment and contract reforms, and a restored 311 app; she also opposes school-bus alternatives that could require children to walk along busy roads. Gorton says some of Carter’s ideas are already in place or included in the plan and questions whether the additional proposals are financially realistic. Residents have welcomed the plan while remaining skeptical that it will resolve prolonged road problems.