Winter Snow Removal

Winter Snow Removal

The Department is responsible for keeping the streets free of snow and ice and open to traffic. When intersections become slippery Public Safety notifies the Department and specialized trucks are dispatched to begin salting the roadways. During major snow events the entire Department of Public Works & Service crew is called into action.

Snow removal is a priority based system that addresses State highways and major streets first, and then progresses to the local streets. Streets which are dead-end or cul-de-sacs are typically completed last. The priority system is based upon the amount of traffic serviced by the street and the need to keep vital facilities such as hospitals and schools open to the public. With the current crew and equipment, it typically takes up to 12 hours to have all of the City streets, alleys and parking lots free of snow and ice after a significant snow event.