Snow removal and ice control

Winter 2009/2010

Every year, the Street Maintenance Division conducts a practice of the snow removal plan. For the 2009/2010 winter weather season, review of the plan was held on Tuesday, November 3. Employees from the Street Maintenance Division inspect equipment, locate the required gear and travel their assigned routes streets.

The annual practice provides an opportunity to review the plan.  The community averages seven winter weather events and approximately 21 inches of snowfall per season.

Snow removal and ice control plan

The snow removal and ice control plan allows for 24 hour operations when necessary. The map attached shows Priority #1 routes in all areas. Routes generally follow a priority order from most traveled streets to least traveled streets. Criteria used to establish priorities are traffic routes, bus routes, hospitals, schools, and major employment centers. In general, winter operations progress from arterial streets (such as Iowa or 6th Street) to collector streets (such as Tennessee or Lawrence Avenue) to areas around schools than residential streets and cul-de-sacs.

Snow plowing operations are generally not effective if there is less than a three inch accumulation of snow. Crews follow the same routes for spreading sand and salt for icy conditions and small accumulations of snow.

Snow plowing -- parked cars and driveways. When snow accumulations reach a depth of three-inches, crews will begin to plow snow around cars that are left parked on the street. Persons wishing access to those vehicles should move them off the street prior to plowing operations (approximately three-inch accumulation) or they will be responsible for digging them out.

There is a windrow of snow left at the curb when city crews plow snow. Unfortunately, the windrows do block driveways. Residents and businesses who need access to those drives will be responsible for removing the windrow after crews have plowed the street.

For more information, please contact the Street Maintenance Division, (785) 832-3021.

Citizen responsibilities

As winter weather approaches, Lawrence citizens are reminded of the snow and ice removal ordinance. To make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians, the owner or occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice that accumulates on the sidewalk. Removal must be done within 48 hours after the ice forms or the snowfall ends.

In the event that removal of ice is impossible, the property owner or occupant is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 48 hours.

In a situation where a property owner fails to comply with the ordinance and the Development Services Division receives a complaint, a citation will be written.  Property owners will be assessed a fine of $20 for each day the violation occurs, plus court costs if found guilty of the violation.

Please be a good neighbor. Residents are responsible for the snow removal in driveways and maintenance of sidewalks adjacent to their properties. There is no formal organization to assist people with these responsibilities. The City would like to encourage everyone to be a good neighbor. Think about neighbors and friends who do not have the ability to shovel snow from their own walks and drives. Let neighbors know ahead of time if you are willing to help. And remember, snow plows will create a blockage even after the drive has been cleaned.

Trash services during snow / ice operations

City crews will operate normal residential and commercial trash services as conditions allow. If conditions become too hazardous to crews and equipment, operations will be suspended until the following day. In commercial areas and parking lots, owners need to remember not to block enclosures when having the lots plowed, or crews will not be able to empty the containers.

For more information about the Public Works snow removal plan, contact Tom Orzulak, street division manager at (785) 832-3021 or Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director / Infrastructure & Maintenance, at (785) 832-3031.

Useful Links

Graph of average snow accumulation by month for Lawrence (pdf 15K)

Safety:
KDOT 511
Weather Channel Driving Tips
Road & Travel Magazine