Snow Plowing FAQ

We wish we had enough snowplows and drivers to take care of every street right away,
but our resources are limited and so we must adhere to a carefully laid out system for
clearing the streets. If we allowed our plows to be diverted each time a special request
was made, our system would be destroyed and it would take far longer to get all the
streets in the city cleared. To keep our snow removal operations as effective and
efficient as possible, plows are not permitted to deviate from their assigned routes.
Emergency routes and arterial streets have first priority for snow plowing. The
remainder of the streets are then plowed. Paved alleys are plowed last.

There are approximately 6,000+ driveways in the City of Kewanee. If we used all of our
plows and spent just 60 seconds per driveway, it would take several days to clean
driveways alone. One thing you can do to minimize the problem is to pile snow that has
been shoveled from the driveway on the downstream side of the driveway. Then if the
snowplow hits the pile, it will be moved onto the grass or sidewalk, not back into your
driveway. The Street Division crews do not come back and plow out any driveways.

Streets and alleys in the central business district are treated separately from other snow
and ice control operations because snow storage within the street and alley rights-ofway
is not desirable. Snow plowing procedures are utilized to the extent that storage of
snow along the traveled portion of the roadway will not inhibit vehicle movement in and
out of parking stalls. Snow removal is normally accomplished by plowing towards the
parking spaces and then making piles in the parking area with an endloader.

When snow removal operations begin, streets and alleys in and near the central
business area are salted. Snow is not hauled from the area unless there is an
accumulation and the temperature is too low for the salt application to effectively melt
the snow. Snow is not hauled from the central business district unless the streets and
alleys become impassable. Snow hauling operations normally commence during early
morning hours only when the storm has subsided.

Under ideal circumstances, we can predict fairly accurately when we will have streets in
various sections of the City plowed. As weather conditions change we often must alter
our snow-fighting strategy in the midst of the snow removal operations in order to
control drifting snow, ice or other special problems. We cannot give you an estimate of
when your street will be cleared due to ever-changing weather conditions.

Each snowplow has an assigned route. If the trucks spread salt on their way to their
destination, then they wouldn't have enough to spread along their own route. Plowing
along the way would mean it would be just that much longer until the truck reached its
assigned route.

The varying sizes of cul-de-sacs present plowing problems ranging from difficult to
impossible. A plow can easily cut an 11-foot path through the snow on a straight road
surface, but trying to plow and turn the blade in a small circle in a cul-de-sac is very
difficult. Therefore, endloaders with blades and buckets are used to plow most cul-desacs
more efficiently than the large trucks. However, there are not enough endloader
units for each route. The units are shared by adjoining routes as necessary. This will
result in longer response times on cul-de-sacs.

As we plow from curb to curb to provide for safe vehicular flow and mail delivery, snow
may inadvertently fall onto the sidewalk. Unfortunately, there are a number of locations
in the city where the park area is very narrow and the plowed snow covers the
sidewalks. Some have suggested that the plows should go through these areas at a
slower speed so the snow will not be thrown onto the sidewalks. However, the plows
must maintain a certain speed in order to keep the snow from sticking onto the blades of
the plow. We do not store the snow on medians because the snow can cause sight
problems for traffic.

We wish we could comply with all requests, but equipment and manpower limitations do
not permit us to deviate from our predetermined snow plowing system.

Different types of storms require the use of different snow-fighting techniques. The
decision whether to salt or plow depends upon the expected weather conditions. For
example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not
be effective. But if the sun is shining and the temperature is 20 degrees or more and
expected to remain steady or to rise, then salt would be more effective. The decision
whether to plow or salt is made with great consideration and based on the latest
weather information available. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a
polished street surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice. The decisions made by an
experienced crew and supervisory personnel are critical.

Snow plow operators take pride in clearing the streets on their routes as quickly and
thoroughly as possible. Driving a snowplow is demanding, tiring work. Common sense
and good safety practices dictate that each driver should take breaks every so often. It
is dangerous, both for the snowplow driver and the public, if a fatigued driver is behind
the wheel of a snowplow. It is in the best interest of the all concerned for the drivers to
take occasional breaks.

There are three reasons why you might see plows on the streets on snowless days.
One is that every driver undergoes pre-season training. Skills must be sharpened and
routes need to be learned and relearned. The second reason is that the trucks may be
scanning the city for secondary cleaning or other problem areas (cleaning the streets
where vehicles were parked during the plowing of the streets). The third reason is that
the trucks can be salting a route that has been plowed by a truck that was not equipped
with a salt spreader.

We don't use cinders because they don't work in all situations. On a hard surface like
ice covered and snow packed road, cinders will either bounce off or be kicked out by
traffic. GeoSalt mix will remain a snow-fighting tool until a more cost-efficient and
effective material is developed.

The potential for a medical emergency does not warrant priority treatment. Anyone
needing an ambulance in a medical emergency should contact the Police Department
where all necessary steps will be coordinated.

It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle upon any public street in the city at any time
within 12 hours after a snowfall of three inches or more has occurred or until the street
has been cleared, whichever occurs first. Vehicles may be ticketed more frequently
during winter months to ensure that plows are able to plow streets adequately. Anyone
leaving town for an extended time (holidays, Spring break) should find suitable off-street
parking to avoid ticketing and towing.

The Police Department coordinates all towing operations. If you find that your vehicle
has been towed, contact the Police Department at 309-853-1911.

Some streets can be difficult to clear snow from due to vehicles being parked on both
sides. Some streets will be skipped until cars are moved so that plows can safely
maneuver.