The City is equipped with three snowplows and four sanders for anticipated winter storms. The purpose of snow plowing is to remove accumulated snow from the road surface. Doing so has the following benefits:
- Plowed roads are safer and easier to drive on
- Removing the bulk of the snow prevents the snow from "packing" on the road and turning to ice
- By plowing the snow, the roads clear up much faster as the sun comes out
Plowing and sanding routes provide priority to busy arterial and collector roads, routes to hospitals, known problem areas (for example, McAndrews Road east of Foothill Road), and higher elevations will have the highest priorities.
When plowing and sanding streets is needed, crews will be out early to try and get the roads in the best shape possible before the morning commute. Drivers should understand that when a street is plowed and/or sanded, it can still be slick and reducing your speed, increasing your stopping distance is needed.
Also, during large heavy snowfalls or valley-wide freezing events, crews will not be able to plow or sand all roads, and drivers should expect difficult driving conditions.
