Winter Street Maintenance

City maintenance crews perform many duties, but snow and ice control are the most noticeable. When you consider the working conditions, including visibility and traffic, they are also probably the most dangerous.

Golden Valley's 14-person crew plows the city about 10 times a year. During an average snowfall, the crew uses 14 pieces of equipment and drives about 450 miles to plow and sand the streets. That's like driving from Minneapolis to Kansas City, Missouri each time. When you count the additional ice control or sanding that is done an average of 25 times a year, the miles really accumulate.

To reduce safety hazards and to minimize costs of snow removal for taxpayers, the City established the following policies on plowing and ice control, snow removal from private property, and parking along City roadways during snowfalls.

Snow Plowing

In Golden Valley, snow plowing begins after snow accumulates to two inches or more and stops falling. When snowfall continues for long periods, crews plow main arterial routes and "through" streets that connect neighborhoods to State and County roads to keep these roads passable until all City streets can be plowed. If strong winds and drifting cause unsafe conditions for snow plow drivers, plowing stops until conditions improve. However, efforts are made to continue plowing during rush hour to help people get home safely.

Golden Valley also plows sidewalks. Depending on weather conditions, this usually starts about two hours after the streets. Follow-up passes are made as needed.

Plow Damage

Sometimes property damage occurs when snow plows are operating.

• The City doesn't assume liability for damages to obstacles in the road right-of-way (irrigation heads, landscaping, etc). If possible, remove these obstacles from the right-of-way or mark them clearly to aid plow drivers.
• Mailboxes are repaired or replaced only if the plow makes direct contact (sometimes snow from the plow can dislodge the box from the post or bend a weak post). Make sure your mailbox post is solid and securely fastened to the box.
• Often, plow drivers literally "feel" their way along streets because of conditions, and regrettably lawns are cut up. If this happens to you, please report it to Street Maintenance at 763-593-8030. Damages are repaired each spring with black dirt and seed or sod.

Don't Crowd the Plow!

We all share in the responsibility of keeping our roads safe. That's why it is very important for residents, especially children, to know what they can do to help snow plow operators:

• Plows travel slower than other vehicles. Reduce your speed.
• Never drive into a snow cloud.
• Don't pass snow plow vehicles while they're plowing.
• Keep your distance from trucks spreading sand.
• Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snowplow is approaching.
• Keep sleds and toys away from the street when they're not being used.
• Don't build snow forts in the snow piles on the boulevard.
• Stay out from behind snow removal equipment. Frequent backing is necessary during plowing, and visibility to the rear is very limited.
• Keep garbage cans up in the driveway if it snows on garbage collection day.

Ice Control

City crews use a sand-salt mixture on icy areas. This doesn't guarantee totally ice-free streets, so drive carefully even where sanding is evident. Priority areas are sanded first, and all other areas are done when time permits. Priority areas include:

• intersections of City streets and County and State roads, school and pedestrian crossings, bridge decks, and all arterial street stop sign intersections
• street intersections having higher than average traffic volumes, and streets with hills and curves
• all other stop signs, and areas deemed hazardous by City crews or Public Safety officials

Snow Removal From Private Property

Removal of snow and ice from private property to a roadway, across a roadway, or onto a sidewalk or adjacent property is prohibited by City ordinance. When snow is being removed from your driveway or parking lot (whether you do it or hire someone to do it), make sure it stays off of roadways, sidewalks, and adjacent property. Improper snow removal can result in many complications, some of which can be very dangerous. If you or your plowing contractor have questions regarding this issue, contact the Public Works Maintenance Manager at 763-593-3981.

Parking On Public Streets

Parking is not allowed on any public street after a snowfall of at least two inches until the snow has been plowed to the curb line. Keep in mind that the Minneapolis snow emergency announcements on TV and radio do not apply to Golden Valley. All Golden Valley streets are plowed on schedule after a snowfall.

After a snowfall of at least two inches, supervisors from the Public Works and Police Departments confer and determine when enforcement will commence. Vehicles in violation are cited by patrolling police, and those still in violation after 24 hours may be towed. After two inches of snowfall, vehicles parked in locations that create an extreme hazard may be towed immediately by the police or at the request of State, County, or City street maintenance personnel.

Each winter, stay informed of the weather forecasts and move your vehicle from the streets when necessary.