Snow & Ice Removal

This program has been developed to facilitate this objective as it pertains to the Public Works Department under adverse winter weather conditions. The procedures presented in this program outline the manner in which the Public Works Department  directs city crews in snow or ice control removal within a 24-hour period, under both ordinary and emergency situations.

The purpose for detailing procedures is to provide assistance and information in a concise form, readily available and adaptable for major storm operations. A pre-planned orderly approach helps reduce the costly affects of hurried decisions common in stress situations, such as emergency snow removal operations.

Present Policy & Priorities

Centerville City averages more than seventy inches of snowfall annually. Our present policy is to provide maximum service on major collectors, and other secondary streets, comprising the basic network needed to move the majority of the traffic in a safe and orderly way.

The highest snow and ice priorities are main collector streets. High priority routes are those leading to arterial streets and schools. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus routes are principally on collector streets that are included as high priority routes.

The established street priorities are based on input from both the Centerville City Police Department  and the Public Works Department Each classification may receive different treatments and level of service depending on the storm event.

Many factors determine the type of service that we can give during each storm event. Every storm can vary. Available trained personnel, time of snow, equipment breakdowns, amount of snow, temperature, and how many hours spent fighting the storm all play into the picture.

Classifications

Priority 1 - Major Collectors

Priority 1 roads are major collectors. Roads are plowed and salted as determined by the storm event, with bare pavement as soon as possible after the storm. One pass will be taken each direction, salting as needed to open all routes.

Priority 2 - Priority roads in the six zones

Priority 2 roads are priority roads within each of the six snowplow zones. Roads are plowed and salted as determined by the storm event, with bare pavement as soon as possible after the storm. One pass will be taken each direction, salting as needed to open all routes.

After all Priority 1 and 2 routes are open and wet, equipment moves to priority 1 routes and pushes snow back to the curbs. When these are maintained, Priority 2 routes are pushed back to the curb.

Priority 3 - secondary roads

Priority 3 roads are secondary residential roads within each of the six snowplow zones. Roads are plowed and salted as determined by the storm event, with bare pavement as soon as possible after the storm. One pass will be taken each direction, salting as needed to open all routes. Plow trucks may be called to return Priority 1 and 2 routes before completing “Priority 3” routes depending on snow fall amounts and temperature.

After all, Priority 1, 2 and 3 routes are open and the storm has ended, plows move to Priority 1 routes and push snow back to the curb. When these are maintained, plows move to Priority 2 and 3 routes and push snow back to the curb.

PRIORITY 4 - CUL-DE-SACS & DEAD-ENDS

Priority 4 roads are cul-de-sacs, knuckles and dead ends. Roads will be plowed only after such areas receive four or more inches of snow. However, snow may be removed the next available workday, depending on the total amount of snow and man hours spent. Priority 4 routes may receive a single pass after each storm. There are some exceptions throughout the City for prioritized service. If the Priority 4 road has an extremely steep incline or decline and if it eliminates plow trucks backing up, they will receive a single pass with the Priority 3 roads. However, temperature and snow fall amounts will determine whether the above-mentioned roads receive service. Each plow driver will determine whether the Priority 4 roads are plowed depending on the winter event.

Snow removal Tips

Centerville Street Department would like to offer a tip on shoveling/blowing your driveway to avoid being plowed in.

After a snowstorm, how many times have you shoveled your driveway only to have it filled with snow again?

Centerville suggests that you clear an area to the right of your driveway (as seen in the diagram below) to give the snow being pushed by the plow a place to drop before it gets to your driveway. 

Did You know?

It is illegal to blow snow from the sidewalk, driveway or other property into the road. Centerville Municipal Code 11.01.120 Removal Of Snow From Sidewalks