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City Continues Work To Clear Snow From Side Streets

CHICAGO (CBS) -- For the second day in a row, the city has deployed 650 pieces of snow removal equipment as crews continue clearing side streets in the wake of the 8th snowiest week on record, including a blizzard that blanketed the city in more than 19 inches of snow.

The equipment being used includes 313 plows, and 333 pieces of city-owned and rented construction equipment, such as backhoes, front-end loaders, high-lifts, and dump trucks -- all of which will be used to haul away the huge mounds of snow created by the plows.

The blizzard from Saturday into Monday left behind 19.3 inches of snow at O'Hare, making it the 5th largest snowstorm on record in Chicago. With another two inches of snow spread out over the rest of the past week, the National Weather Service said Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 was the 8th snowiest week ever recorded in Chicago.

City officials have said crews will continue clearing neighborhood streets -- on 12-hour shifts, followed by 12 hours off the clock -- until every street is safe and passable.

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