Snow and Ice Removal

Snow and Ice Removal

Prepare for winter in Victoria with a few reminders about snow maintenance.

Parking on Roads During a Snowfall

Make sure to move vehicles off the roads during a snowfall of 2 inches or more. Parking on the street is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. after two inches or more of snow falls until the street is plowed from curb to curb.

Removing Snow from Driveway and Sidewalks

One of the most frequent issues with snow removal operations is snow that is deposited in driveways. Snow that accumulates on the street and is pushed by the plows will seek the path of least resistance. Because driveways are open, snow will be deposited into these areas. Drivers do everything they can to minimize the amount of snow that is placed in driveways. Do not shovel or blow snow from driveways back into the street. Residents are responsible for removing snow from the sidewalks in front of or on the side of their property within 24 hours of snowfall.

Setting Garbage and Recycling Bins in Driveway

Keep garbage and recycling bins on your driveway. Do not place them in the street or road to ensure City maintenance vehicles can pass safely. This is especially important during street sweeping and snow removal, but it is never safe to have a garbage bin in the street.

Snow Plowing in Victoria

During and after a snowfall, the City of Victoria’s Public Works Department works hard to clear the snow to ensure the safety of the community. There are approximately 92 lane miles of streets and roads as well as about 38 miles of trails that are maintained by City of Victoria Public Works.

A typical 3-6” snow event requires 70-90 hours from a crew of 10 on the first day for the primary snow removal and an additional 40-60 hours on the second day for snow hauling, clean-up, and finishing the walking paths and trails.
The actual number of hours varies greatly between events though due to differences in conditions, equipment, and staffing. Larger snow events will inflate these numbers.

The routes are broken down into 4 areas, each serviced by a large dump truck. The rest of the staff operate any one of 2 skid steers, 2 side-by-sides, 5 pickups, or 2 tractors to support those routes and remove snow in the downtown areas, the trails, city-maintained sidewalks, and parking lots.

Pavement Plowing Process

Plow operators hit the streets at approximately 3 a.m. after a snow event and continue until all streets are plowed. The center of the roadway is plowed first, then passes are made in each direction. Widening and cleanup operations may continue the same day or resume the next day, depending upon the conditions.

Cul-de-sacs are plowed with a single pass to open up all routes as soon as possible. Crews return to clean the entire cul-de-sac after all streets have been cleared.

Many trails are plowed, based on their use and connectivity to public facilities. Trails are the second plowing priority and are generally cleared within 48 hours of a snowfall.

Property damage from a snow plow? Snow plowing operations can cause property damage under the best of conditions and care of the plow operators. The most common incidents are sod and mailbox damage. In the spring, Public Works staff will repair mailboxes hit by plows and sod damage caused by plows. Irrigation or other private improvements in the right-of-way will not be repaired by the City as the right-of-way is used for snow storage. Private improvements should be placed outside of the right-of-way. Homeowners are responsible for damage resulting from the snow that rolls off of a plow or plow wing. Mailboxes should be inspected each year by the homeowner to ensure that they are secured and maintained to withstand the plowing season. Drivers make every attempt to clear snow as close as possible to the mailboxes, but residents are responsible for the final cleaning to ensure mail service. The United States Postal Service provides tips on how to avoid mailbox damage.

FAQs
What are the on-street parking restrictions during snow storms?
Parking on the street is prohibited from 11:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. after two inches of snow falls or until the street is plowed curb to curb.
What time will my street be plowed?
The public works department tries to follow the following schedule when plowing snow in the city; weather conditions may delay our progress towards meeting these goals.
  • Collector and minor arterial streets: 3:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.
  • Cul-de-sacs/dead-end streets/alleys: 8:00 a.m.-Noon
  • Clean-up: Noon-3:00 p.m.
  • Sanding: 3:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
View the city's snow plowing route map.
Who plows the sidewalks?
Residents are responsible for plowing sidewalks in front or on the side of their property within 24 hours of snowfall.
Why does the snow plow keep knocking over my mail box?
Mailboxes should be set back at least three feet from the curb to avoid being in the direct line of plowed snow. It is the homeowner's responsibility to keep the snow clear around their mailbox and to keep their mailbox in good repair so the weight of the snow from the plows will not knock the box over.  See the U.S. Postmaster guidelines for securing installing a mailbox.
A rock from a city plow chipped my windshield. Does the city pay for my windshield?
The city does not pay for damage to a windshield. When city plows are out plowing roads, these trucks are laying salt and sand on the roads and are generally driving at slower speeds than the posted speed. For your own safety, drivers are encouraged to stay at a distance when following any snowplow. 

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