Show All Answers

1. What are the major factors affecting snow removal?

• Duration of the snow event
  
• Accumulation during the snow event
  
• Time of day the snow event starts
  
• Temperature through-out the snow event
  
• Traffic conditions

The most dangerous street conditions may occur when the day has been warm enough to melt snow and ice and then the temperature drops in the afternoon refreezing the melted snow and ice.

2. Do you plow cul-de-sacs?

Cul-de-sac areas are particularly hard to service due to the size of our snowplows. If snow accumulation and weather conditions dictate, the Town may plow these areas with smaller trucks.

3. Do you plow residential streets?

Residential streets may be plowed if snow accumulation and weather conditions dictate. When snowstorms leave large accumulations that are expected to remain for several days, plows may move in to residential streets after completing service on primary and secondary streets.

When plowing residential streets the goal is to keep as much snow as possible off the road. We do not plow down to the pavement. The quickest way to plow snow is to push it to the side. This may mean that you will have to clear your driveway.

4. When will you get to the secondary routes?

Snow accumulation and weather conditions dictate when snow crews can begin to plow secondary routes, all primary routes open must be cleared prior to moving onto secondary.

5. Why did you bury my sidewalk and/or driveway?

Snow crews do make an effort to plow in a manner that does not block driveways, it is not always successful. Residential streets are plowed down the center of the street in an effort to avoid covering sidewalks, parked cars, and blocking driveways, the Town regrets the inconvenience to residents that snowplowing operations may cause.

6. What equipment does the Town have?

The Town uses large plow trucks for snow removal and light weight pickup trucks are used during heavy snow fall to assist in accessing residential streets. The Town also has heavy equipment that can be used for cutting ice in trouble areas and clearing specific intersections.

The Town also contracts with local snow removal vendors for assistance during large storms.

7. How are the plowing crews called out?

Snow crews are called in for a snow event by Operation and Maintenance Crew Leader who is notified via the Boulder County Communications Center. Crews report within 30 minutes and plow trucks start plow routs immediately.

There are approximately 250 single lane miles of streets in Erie. Snow crews work in rotating shifts until the snow event has ended. It can take crews up to two hours to initially cover their assigned route.

8. How Can You Help?

Please keep in mind; crews put forth the utmost effort during snowstorms. Extended storms may present various challenges for our crews, for example, equipment breakdowns and abrupt changes in the weather.

To help our crews perform in a safe and efficient manner:

• Exercise extreme care
  
• Travel at a safe distance from snowplows at all times
  
• Do not try to pass snow removal vehicles
  
• Avoid street parking if possible
  
• Do not shovel snow from your sidewalk and drive-way into the street
  
• Do not attempt to stop a snow removal vehicle or obstruct its path

Thank You for Your Cooperation and Consideration