Snow Plowing

Snowplowing and Ice Control Policy    

Purpose and Need for Policy

Edina finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of the City to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on City streets. Reasonable ice and snow control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services and necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public. 

Policy

The Edina Public Works Department takes a great deal of pride in the service that it provides to the residents of this community. Nearly all members of the Public Works Department plow during the winter months. This policy outlines the responsibilities and priorities within the Public Works Department to accomplish this goal. 

The City has over 230 miles of streets and over 175 cul-de-sacs. Every year the City prepares a map that identifies thoroughfares and residential roadways. This map is then divided into plow routes for purposes of snow and ice removal.

The City has classified City streets based on the street function, traffic volume and importance to the welfare of the community. Those streets classified as “Red Routes” will be plowed first. These are high-volume routes that connect major sections of the City and provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services. The second-priority streets are those streets providing access to schools and commercial businesses. The third-priority streets are low volume residential streets. The fourth-priority areas are alleys, cul-de-sacs and City parking lots.

Responsibility 

The Public Works Department, with the assistance of the Police Department, monitors the street conditions to determine the timing and amount of equipment and personnel necessary to clear the streets and sidewalks.

The Public Works Director or designated representative has the responsibility of determining plow routes and sequencing of operations in accordance with priorities identified above. The Director, or his designee, shall retain the latitude to adjust sequencing or route assignments based on the storm conditions, equipment availability and/or conditions warranting changes.

Commencement of Operations

The City of Edina begins snow or ice control operations when there is:

• Snow accumulation of 1.5 inches or more;
• Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel; or
• Icy conditions which seriously affect travel.

Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy use of streets is also factored into decisions about when to plow.

How Snow will be Plowed

Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize traffic obstructions. The center of the roadway will be plowed first and then snow will be pushed from left to right on two-way streets. On one-way streets or where there is a center boulevard, snow may be pushed in either direction. The discharge shall go onto the boulevard area of the street. Snow on cul-de-sacs will normally be plowed based on snow storage availability and for emergency vehicle ingress and egress.

Snow removal may occur in areas where there is no room on the boulevard for snow storage and in areas where accumulated piles of snow create a hazardous condition. Snow removal operations will not begin until other snowplowing operations have been completed. Snow removal operations may also be delayed depending on weather conditions, personnel and budget availability. The snow will be removed and hauled to a designated snow storage area. The snow storage area will be located so as to minimize environmental problems.

Use of Salt

The City is concerned about the effect of salt on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. Therefore, it is the policy of the City to utilize straight salt or a treated combination calibrated to the lowest effective amount per lane mile. This provides for traction but is not intended to provide bare pavement during winter conditions. Applications of deicing chemicals is generally limited to “Red Routes”, steep grades and intersections. Application is limited on low volume streets and cul-de-sacs. The City cannot be responsible for damage to grass caused by deicer and therefore will not make repairs or compensate residents for deicer damage to turf areas in the road right of way.

Sidewalk clearing 

The City will maintain some of the sidewalks in the City. As there are a limited number of personnel available, the City will only maintain these sidewalks after the streets have been plowed. It is the responsibility of the resident and/or property owner to remove all accumulated snow from all other sidewalks along public streets adjoining their property. This includes any snow plowed from public streets onto the sidewalk.

Property damage 

Coming into contact with a mailbox is a common obstacle snowplow operators face during storm activities. The City will conduct a review of each mailbox incident to determine whether the City will replace or provide reimbursement for the mailbox. Only mailboxes actually hit by a snowplow will be the responsibility of the City. The City will not be responsible for damage to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or ice coming into contact with the mailbox. At the mailbox owner’s request, the City will replace the mailbox with a standard size, non-decorative metal mailbox and replace the support post as necessary with a four-by-four decay resistant wood support post, both installed by the City. Alternatively, the City will reimburse the mailbox owner up to $100 for the replacement of the mailbox and post by others.

Often, plow drivers literally "feel" their way along streets because of conditions, and regrettably, lawns are cut up. If this happens to you, please report it to Street Maintenance at 952-826-0374 or report the problem online. Damages are repaired each spring with black dirt and seed.

Other Requests for Assistance

We all share in the responsibility of keeping our roads safe. That's why it is very important for residents, especially children, to know what they can do to help snow plow operators:

• Plows travel slower than other vehicles. Reduce your speed.
• Never drive into a snow cloud.
• Don't pass snowplow vehicles while they're plowing.
• Keep your distance from trucks spreading sand.
• Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snowplow is approaching.
• Keep sleds and toys away from the street when they're not being used.
• Don't build snow forts in the snow piles on the boulevard.
• Stay out from behind snow removal equipment. Frequent backing is necessary during plowing, and visibility to the rear is very limited.
• Keep garbage cans up in the driveway if it snows on garbage collection day.
• Wear highly visible clothing when walking or running on the road.