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Should I call in for my street to be plowed/serviced?
During a city-wide weather event, the city receives many calls from residents requesting plowing/servicing to their respective streets. Conditions will always drive the city's response and adhering to our plowing response plan is critical for keeping our road system operational. Pulling crews off their assigned routes will not occur unless there is a medical emergency directed by Police or Fire.
I saw a plow on my street- why is there still snow/ice on the road?
Once the snow becomes compact and freezes, we need to treat the snow and ice with a sodium chloride (deicer) and sand mixture to break down the ice. It can take multiple passes of a snow plow and multiple treatments of product before the ice can finally be removed. If it starts snowing again, this process gets disrupted because our plows need to move back to servicing the primary arterials to ensure they remain passable, especially for emergency vehicles.
What does the city do to prepare for winter weather?
Each year, the city's Public Works Department is fully prepared for winter weather by the start of November. Preparations include training staff, ensuring there are adequate supplies like anti-icer and regular vehicle maintenance. The city has 3 trucks that can be configured with plows and sanders, and 6 staff members ready to respond when winter weather hits. During a snowstorm, city staff work 24/7 to clear roads. Once truck with a plow and sander is always ready to go, but the rest of the vehicles are used for regular daily operations and fitted with plows and sanders only when snow or ice is forecast.
What is the city's policy on clearing streets of ice and snow?
During conditions of ice and snow, the city strives to provide passable routes for emergency, commercial, and private vehicles on the city's public roads. Passable means that someone with the appropriate equipment, driving ability and judgment, traveling at an appropriate speed, can travel on the street once it has been serviced. Streets are prioritized for plowing based on a snow response map that considers access for emergency services, transit, school bus traffic volume and other factors. If snowfall is continuous, these major routes may require repeated plowing and sanding before crews are able to clear any neighborhood streets.
Does the city use anti-icers or deicers? Are they bad for my vehicle?
When conditions warrant, before a snowstorm, the Public Works Department may spray the streets with a sodium chloride based liquid anti-icer that prevents ice from adhering to the pavement. The product is applied when the forecast calls for dry conditions prior to icing or snow. Putting deicing salt on roads changes the freezing point of water. The higher the salt content, the lower the freezing point, which means that deicing roads with road salt will help existing ice melt, and depending on the temperature, it will prevent rain or snow from freezing. If snow or ice does build up on streets, a solid deicer containing sodium chloride is mixed into the sand. We use as little as possible. To avoid any salt causing rust to your vehicle you can wash your vehicle as soon as possible after a snowstorm. Try and use a car wash where you can ensure the undercarriage of your vehicle has been reached, as salt often collects in this area. Attempt to wash your car during warmer hours of the day and open and close all the doors several times after washing to avoid them freezing shut. Even without a snowstorm, it is good practice to wash your car roughly once every week during the winter months.
What should I do to prepare for ice and snow in Wendell?
When bad weather is in the forecast, please plan ahead. If you must travel, prepare first, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Some tips include:
- Practice putting on your tire chains at home before you need them.
- Put on traction tires if you have them.
- Check your anti-freeze levels, washer fluid, and wipers, and ensure that your heater and defroster work properly.
- Have an ice scraper/snow brush and other essentials in your car.
- Purchase a snow shovel. Clearing your sidewalk of snow helps keep people who are walking safe.
- Buy shoes with good grip, ice grippers to put on your shoes, a walking stick or other mobility safety devices to help with walking in winter conditions.
What can I do to improve safety when driving on ice and snow?
- Avoid driving and stay home if it is possible to do so.
- Drive for current conditions:
- Drive slower.
- Allow more time to stop.
- Leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
- Do not use cruise control.
- Watch out for black ice. Roads that seem dry or just wet may be slippery. Use caution and drive slowly when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas.
- Give snowplows room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the centerline or shoulder. Do not tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, use extreme caution and beware of the snow cloud.
- Never slam the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't, gently pump the pedal.
- Completely clear off your lights, windows, and roof of your vehicle. Snow left on the roof can fall on your windshield or the windshield of vehicles around you while you are driving, which is very dangerous.
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