Policy:

The City of Peoria begins an all-out plowing effort whenever two (2”) inches of snow have accumulated and snow is still falling.  The primary goals of the City's Snow Removal and Ice Control Plan are to maintain safe travel routes during the winter season as well as to restore mobility for the traveling public within a reasonable time frame following winter storm conditions.  

The City of Peoria does not have a "bare pavement" policy as this would dramatically increase costs and negative environmental impacts.  Matching the level of service to vehiclular volumes reduces salt usage while providing high quality winter travel.  It is the City's goal to clear all of its roadways - primary as well as residential streets - of snow accumulation greater than two inches (2") within an 18-hour period after the event has ended.  This includes variables such as high winds which typically follow a snowstorm.  Events resulting in an accumulation of greater than twelve inches (12") will require additional time to clear. 

Storm Categories:

All storms are divided into Levels.  Level I encompasses storms with less than two (2") inches snow accumulation; Level II storms range from two (2") inches to less than six (6") inches; and Level III storms range from six (6") inches to greater than twelve (12") inches snow accumulation.  Within each of these Levels, storms are further divided into Categories (Category 1- 6) to indicate the estimated severity of the weather conditions, the actions necessary and the estimated time to complete each action. 

LEVEL I:

Category 1 (Minor) – A frost, ice or nuisance snow. May include isolated icing on hills, bridges, overpasses and some intersections.  The areas are patrolled on a 24-hour basis and salt applied to problem areas.  Typically 0-4 hours estimated to complete.

Category 2 (Minor) – A prediction of less than 2 inches (2") of snow. All hills, bridges, overpasses and major intersections on snow routes are treated with rock salt or liquid calcium chloride as needed.  Depending upon conditions, all Snow Routes may be treated.  Typically 4-8 hours to complete after storm has ended.

LEVEL II:

Category 3 (Major) – A prediction of two to four inches (2" – 4") of snow.  Parking restrictions for all marked Snow Routes are in effect as indicated on the signs.  Other parking restrictions may be implemented. All streets in the City are plowed and, where necessary, streets and intersections may be treated with salt.  Mobility will be maintained in alleys.  Typically 8-18 hours estimated to complete after storm has ended. 

Category 4 (Major) – A prediction of four to six inches (4" – 6") of snow. Parking restrictions for all marked Snow Routes are in effect as indicated on the signs.  Other parking restrictions may be implemented.  All streets in the City are plowed and, where necessary, streets and intersections may be treated with salt.  Mobility will be maintained in alleys.  Typically 18 hours estimated to complete plowing after storm has ended.  

LEVEL III:

Category 5 (Major) – A prediction of six to twelve inches (6" – 12") of snow. Parking restrictions implemented for all marked Snow Routes as indicated on the signs.  Other parking restrictions may be implemented.  All streets in the City are plowed and, where necessary, streets and/or intersections may be treated with salt as required.  Due to the accumulation of snow, in/out plowing will be implemented for off-route streets. Mobility in alleys will be maintained and the City may clear and remove snow from sidewalks in the downtown area and along curbside sidewalks along higher-speed arterials.  A command center to assist in communications and coordination may also be implemented.  ESDA may declare an emergency and request State or other assistance.  Typically 18 hours to complete plowing and treating once the storm has ended.  May take up to 7 days for removal and pushing back snow once streets are cleared. 

Category 6 (Major) – A prediction of more than twelve inches (12") of snow. Parking restrictions implemented for all marked Snow Routes as indicated on the signs. Other parking restrictions may be implemented.  All streets in the City are plowed and, where necessary, streets and/or intersections may be treated with salt as required.  Due to the accumulation of snow, in/out plowing will be implemented for off-route streets.  Mobility in alleys will be maintained and the City may clear and remove snow from sidewalks in the downtown area and along curbside sidewalks along higher-speed arterials using private contractors. A command center to assist in communications and coordination will be implemented.  ESDA may declare an emergency and request State or other assistance. Typically 18 hours to complete plowing and treating once the storm has ended. May take up to 14 days for removal and pushing back snow once streets are cleared.
 

During high winds, drifting and/or blizzard-like conditions, the main arterials are repeatedly plowed as needed, even if off-streets are still snow covered. These conditions, as well as heavier snow, often lengthen the time needed to clear the snow. 

The annual average snowfall for the Peoria area (according to the National Weather Service) is 24 inches.

Rock salt (sodium chloride) is spread on streets to prevent unsafe travel conditions when either snow or ice begins to accumulate. It takes 3+ hours to completely salt the City’s roadways. The amount of salt used is based on total snow accumulation, outside temperature and traffic conditions since temperature and vehicular traffic are critical factors in the effectiveness of salt. The City uses caution to ensure salt applications are not excessive and, therefore, detrimental to the environment or to automobile bodies.

Priority Plowing System:

The City has established a Priority Plowing system for our 460 centerline miles of roadways based on traffic volume, speed limit and potential safety concerns.

FIRST PRIORITY:  Primary roadways are those adjacent to schools and leading to hospitals.  Primary streets are generally considered arterial and higher traffic volume collector roadways. Hills and bridges are included in this category. 

SECOND PRIORITY:  Lower traffic volume collector roadways, residential streets and cul-de-sacs are in this category.  During and after a storm, some streets may become snow packed as a result of vehicular traffic over unplowed roads, wind and drifting conditions.  All attempts will be made to reduce snow-packed situations.  Snow accumulations impairing motorists' sight distances will be monitored and addressed as needed.  

City crews will plow one path (in/out) through every roadway to allow residents mobility as early as is practical in a storm. Crews will return later to finish pushing the snow back “close to curb” to clear storm inlets.

Alleys:

Alley conditions will be evaluated during heavier snow accumulations to determine if City assistance is needed to maintain mobility.  Due to their narrow width, plowing alleys deposits snow on (and potentially causes damage to) adjacent structures such as garages and fences.  Windrows from plowing can also make it difficult to place trash cans for collection and minimize access from the alley to properties.  Actions to maintain mobility in alleys may include driving 4WD vehicles through alleys or opening alleys by pushing (not plowing) snow with an endloader bucket from one end to the other.

Cul-de-Sacs & Dead End Streets:

The City of Peoria has upwards of 667 cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets. Cul-de-sacs are the most time-consuming, taking an average of 35 minutes to clear each one - which is eight times longer than it takes to plow a through street of the same size. These are more difficult due to the limited space to dump snow without burying driveways, mailboxes, streetlights or fire hydrants. No snow will be left or piled in the centers of the cul-de-sac "bulbs" unless there is an island.  Snow will be pushed up and over curbs wherever open areas exist between driveways, fire hydrants and mailboxes.

Driveways & Sidewalks:

These are the responsibility of residents and property owners.  The City appeals to citizens to keep this critical part of Peoria's transportation system accessible by clearing sidewalks, especially for children walking to/from school. State law protects property owners from any added liability if they shovel their sidewalks.  Residents should shovel snow into their yard, not the street.  Putting snow into the street is against the law because it causes dangerously slippery conditions for both motorists and pedestrians.  The Police Department shall be requested to make every effort to strictly enforce this. (Chapter 26, Article I, Section 26-25).  City crews try to avoid putting large piles of snow in front of driveways, however, this is not always possible.  To avoid having to "double shovel," citizens may want to wait until after their street has been plowed before clearing their driveway.  Residents are also asked to clear snow around fire hydrants, meters and mailboxes to aid firefighters, meter readers and postal carriers. 

Mailbox Damage:

Mailboxes are occasionally damaged during snow removal operations.  When possible, the mailbox will be put back in place; otherwise, City staff will install a replacement box at the earliest possible time.  In some cases, a temporary mailbox may be warranted until conditions allow proper and permanent repairs to be made.   

Following U.S. Postal Service guidelines will minimize mailbox damage.  These guidelines state the front (face) of the mailbox may not extend beyond the back of the curb or overhang the curb or street. A 6” (inch) setback measured from the back of the curb to the front of the mailbox is recommended. However, the front (face) of the mailbox should not be greater than 6” (inches) from the back of the curb. Mailbox height should be between 36” to 42” measured from the bottom of the mailbox to street level. If a mailbox is on a curve or cul-de-sac, it should be before and as close to the edge of the driveway as possible. The approach to a mailbox should be kept clear 10 ft. in each direction. Additionally, the address and/or any lettering should be on the mailbox facing the delivery side.

For more information or to report mailbox damage, call 309/494-8850.

Parking Lots:

All City parking lots will be plowed during the first available night shift following a storm event and is the responsibility of the Peoria Park District and contracted personnel.  Operations may be adjusted if the storm clean-up occurs on a weekend or holiday.  Property owners are responsible for clearing commercial parking lots. Pushing and storing snow on City streets and sidewalks is prohibited by law.

Parking Restrictions:

During winter storms of two (2") or more inches, parked vehicles must be removed from marked Snow Routes to enable City crews to clear the routes properly and safely.  Violators will be ticketed (minimum $250 fine) and towed. Motorists who have parked vehicles on non-routed streets are encouraged to move their vehicles off-street to facilitate plowing efforts.  If in doubt, avoid parking on a City street during a snow event.

Additionally, parking bans are automtically in effect with an accumulation of two (2") or more inches of snow or as otherwise declared by City officials and remain in effect for 48 hours or until lifted.  During a ban, all vehicles are to be removed from City streets to facilitate plowing efforts.  Violators will be ticketed and towed.  Again, the fine is $250 (minimum) for parking on City streets during a Parking Ban.