Deuel County Department of Roads Snow Removal Plan and Policies
The following snow removal plan covers the procedures that will be followed in the event of a winter snowstorm. Any of the operations may be altered by the Highway Superintendent or Highway Supervisor depending on weather conditions and/or emergencies.
Regular working hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. No overtime work will be performed on weekdays, weekends or holidays unless authorized by the Highway Superintendent or Highway Supervisor.
START UP PROCEDURES AND SNOW ROUTES
In the event of a snowstorm, the Highway Superintendent or Highway Supervisor will contact the operators as to when to proceed with plowing operations. All operators have a map of their area with emergency snow routes clearly marked. These routes will be strictly followed by priority and will not be deviated from for any reason other than an emergency. After the prioritized routes have been cleared, a systematic approach will be taken to clear the rest of the area, with school personnel and mail routes taking priority.
Emergency Snow Removal Priority Route Maps
Snow removal priority route maps are posted at school districts and post offices. Emergency snow removal priority route maps and Policies will be placed in county newspaper each fall to inform the public of the county’s priority snow removal routes.
Gravel Roads
Gravel windrows shall be leveled as much as possible in the fall and gravel left on the road so the windrow doesn’t get bladed into the ditch. Gravel should remain on the road for possible snow melt. If there is too much grass and weeds in the windrow, move windrow to the south on east-west roads and to the east on north-south roads. No operators or equipment will be dispatched for snow removal on gravel roads until at least three inches or more snow has accumulated. Snow and wind conditions will determine when plowing operations proceed due to poor visibility, safety conditions, snowfall per hour, etc. Snow removal will not proceed until visibility is no longer a problem. Maintain snowplow blade one to two inches above gravel road to keep from removing gravel off the road. Plow snow to the south edge of east-west roads and to the east edge of north-south roads whenever possible to prevent drifting if the wind is out of the northwest. Plow according to wind conditions. In a very heavy snow, plow both ways and leave snow windrow beyond the road shoulder so snow will melt away from the road and not on it. Open priority routes for one lane traffic before starting secondary routes. Do not widen large drifts until entire route has been cleared to at least one lane traffic. Motor grader operators are responsible for clearing intersections where gravel and pavement meet. Minimum maintenance roads will not be cleared unless there is an emergency.
Paved Roads
Plows will be dispatched on all paved roads when one inch or more snow accumulation is received. Motor graders will tight blade paved roads to remove as much snow and ice as possible without harming the pavement surface. Plow snow out to a minimum of two feet beyond pavement edge, where possible, so snow will melt away from the road and not back on it causing ice conditions.
Bridges
All snow will be removed from bridges as roads are cleared. DO NOT leave snow windrows along bridge rail. This creates a ramp condition which could cause a vehicle to jump the guardrail. Remove snow beyond the bridge ends and guard rail 15 to 20 feet so snow will not melt back onto bridge causing ice conditions.
Special Circumstances
Rarely does the county receive the same amount of snow county-wide. Under these circumstances, employees and equipment will be moved from the least heavy snowfall area to concentrate on the hardest hit portions of the county. This will be done only upon authorization of the Highway Superintendent or Highway Supervisor.
Abandoned Vehicles/Stuck Motorists
The Sheriff’s office will be notified when abandoned vehicles are found stuck in snowdrifts. The vehicle license number will be provided to the sheriff’s office so they can contact the owner. The sheriff’s office can make the determination as to calling a towing firm and billing the owner of the vehicle for towing services. Vehicles will only be removed from roadway or snowdrift by the county employee when the owner is present and able to attach chain or tow rope to the personal vehicle. If the owner of vehicle is present and physically unable to attach chain or tow rope to the vehicle, the owner should approve means of attachment to the vehicle by the county employee.
Updates to the Deuel County Department of Roads Snow Removal Plan and Policies will be made by the Deuel County Board of Commissioners / Supervisors and the Deuel County Highway Superintendent.