 Snow Removal - Winter Snow Plan and Operations
The City of Shawnee Public Works Department strives to provide
effective snow and ice removal on over 740 lane miles of public streets to
allow motorists to travel safely within the City during winter weather
conditions. While these conditions exist, it is expected that motorists
will exercise the appropriate caution necessitated by the weather.
Every snowstorm is unique and the snow plan for each storm is directly
related to the amount, type and severity of the precipitation.
Streets are addressed in the following order, giving priority to major
streets to provide safe travel for the high volumes of traffic and for
emergency vehicles that use these roads.
The
Snow and Ice Removal Policy is intended to keep vehicular traffic
moving at a safe and constant speed. In order to accomplish this, the City
is divided into eighteen (18) districts. Each district has two (2)
priorities of removal.
- Priority Streets - Arterial roadways; Arterials are heavily traveled
north-south, east-west, cross city routes and thoroughfares, (e.g. Johnson
Drive, Shawnee Mission Parkway, Quivira, etc.). These streets are kept
clear at all times by plowing and the continuous application of deicer
materials throughout the storm. Collector streets; Those streets in local
areas which provide primary access to arterial streets, (e.g. Long, 66th
Terrace, Bradshaw, etc.). This stage is begun after the snow has stopped
or at the discretion of the supervisor. These areas are plowed along with
a continuous application of anti-skid or deicer materials.
- Local Streets - Low volume traffic areas. These areas are plowed after all
priority streets have been plowed and treated. Anti-skid or deicer
materials will be applied to these streets as necessary.
Throughout the storm, known trouble locations, "hot spots", (steep hills,
dangerous intersections, and bridges) are closely monitored. All snow is
plowed to the side of the street. The City does not remove the snow plowed
in front of or into driveways. A snow or ice event is treated initially with a salt or salt/sand mixture
spreading operation. If conditions and accumulations warrant, generally
one inch of accumulation, the operation switches to plowing snow. The Snow Removal Program includes twenty-six snow plow vehicles and 58
employees from the Public Works and Parks Departments. When conditions
dictate, drivers are assigned to one of two twelve-hour shifts to provide
24-hour service. The shifts continue until all public streets have been
plowed or treated with deicer materials to provide adequate traction. The
Public Works Department strives to make at least one pass on every public
street within 24 hours after a winter storm has ended.
Questions or Complaints The Public Works Department will respond to all
calls for slick spots after the storm has ended and drivers have treated
all streets. You may submit a
Citizen Service
Request, or call City Hall (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) at (913) 631-2500,
extension 230. On weekends or after hours, please contact the Police
Dispatch at (913) 631-2150. In case of an Emergency, call 9-1-1.
Tips for helping snow removal operations:
- Stay back at least 50’ from the rear of the plow truck so the rock salt
they spread will not hit your vehicle.
- Park your vehicles in the driveway and don’t allow vehicles to extend
into the roadway. Cars in the roadway hinder the performance of snow
removal operations. If street parking is absolutely necessary, do not park
directly across from another parked car. Visibility is poor during snow
removal and the trucks are large and need room to maneuver. Please give
the trucks plenty of room.
- Children are attracted to snowplow trucks. Teach your children to stay
away from the street when they see the trucks coming. Snow plow trucks
move several tons of snow off the pavement. It is extremely dangerous to
allow children to play near the road during snow removal. The truck
drivers cannot always see children playing and the weight and force of
moving snow could cause serious injury.
- Some trucks are capable of plowing multiple lanes of snow at one time
with wing plows. Avoid passing or driving beside these trucks – especially
to their right (passenger) side.
- When shoveling your driveway, do not place the snow from your driveway
back into the street.
- Portable basketball goals, hockey goals, skate board ramps and other
portable structures should always be off the street surface.
- Trees that are located close to the street with branches growing above
the pavement must have the branches trimmed a minimum of twelve feet above
the pavement. In the past, snow removal trucks have been damaged by low
hanging limbs resulting in equipment down time and a slower snow removal
program.
- During all inclement weather conditions, you should keep informed on
weather and driving conditions through the local media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do residential areas get plowed last? The City must first keep major streets with high traffic volumes and
higher speed limits safe and open to provide emergency vehicle routes to
all parts of the City. As soon as major streets are clear or sufficiently
clear for traffic to use with appropriate caution for slick conditions,
equipment is moved into residential areas. How many major streets are there?
There are approximately 150 lane miles of Priority streets out of more
than 740 lane miles of streets in the city.
What about residential streets?
There are 18 residential districts/routes of snow removal in residential
areas.
Why are some residential streets always plowed first?
Drivers are instructed to continually change the sequence for plowing
residential streets so a particular street is not always the first or the
last to be plowed.
Questions about the snow removal program? - Call the Public Works
Department at 913-631-3741, Extension 1-216.
Additional Snow Removal Policy Information:
- Private streets are maintained by applicable property owners.
- The City does not plow sidewalks or driveways unless they provide access
to an adjoin city-owned property.
- Driveways will be blocked during snow removal operations; we attempt to
minimize this as much as possible. Property owners are responsible for
clearing the windrows of snow in front of their driveways.
- Vehicles on roadways may be towed if they impede traffic movement.
- The City does not assist motorists in pulling their vehicles out of a
ditch or the median. Vehicle towing companies are available to provide
this service.
- The City does not have designated emergency snow routes.
- Medical emergencies should always be referred to 911 for proper
assistance.
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