Utah is known for its “cold smoke” powder snow. Certainly, from the standpoint of skiing and snowboarding, a convincing argument can be made that the “Greatest Snow on Earth” can be found in Utah. The famous snow, created from unique environmental conditions, may be unsurpassed on the planet for its quality. However, it can also turn a routine morning commute into quite a hazardous ordeal.

When the snow flies in Utah, the Salt Lake County Public Works Operations team rolls across the valley with large snow removal vehicles loaded with salt and equipped with 12-foot-wide, 2,000-pound blades to promote safe travel during winter weather conditions. The team works around the clock to ensure safe, accessible roads for residents throughout Salt Lake County.

According to the Director of Salt Lake County Public Works Operations, Steven Kuhlmeier, the Public Works team comprises about 81 department employees operating 60 large plows. The team is on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Kuhlmeier says the goal is to address snow and ice events in contracted jurisdictions within 36 hours after the end of a storm.

When a snow event occurs, street maintenance in the community is addressed according to a priority plan. First, the main arterial roads and priority roadways that provide access for emergency vehicles are cleared. Next, attention is given to school routes and areas in higher elevations and arterial streets in steeper neighborhoods. Snow plows then move on to public transportation routes and residential streets. Cul-de-sacs and dead ends, which are the most challenging to clear, are managed last.

“When dispatching our drivers, we have two snow supervisors for each day and night shifts who split up the valley” Kuhlmeier said. “They are monitoring weather conditions and assessing any reports coming in from law enforcement as well as going out and making inspections. So, we are not necessarily waiting for snow to be on the ground. If we are seeing what could possibly be icy or unsafe conditions, we will go out and wet the asphalt with a brine salt water solution which helps to mitigate ice formation and makes it easier for the drivers to plow and to get the salt down later.” 

The drivers face several challenges that affect the effectiveness of snow removal in neighborhoods. Parked cars create an unsafe situation for trucks trying to pass, often leading to roads being skipped. However, the driver will frequently try to circle back, check for clearance, and try to plow again, which can cause delays in other areas needing service.

Many times, people assume an area hasn’t been cleared, but often, this is due to residents blowing snow back into already-cleared roads. This can create icy or unsafe conditions. Blowing snow back onto a resident’s property is best practice for helping keep roads safe. When residents are clearing out the drive approach, it is advised to push the snow with the flow of traffic so the plows don’t push it right back into the drive approach. Additionally, navigating around garbage cans and untrimmed trees can be difficult for a 12-foot-wide plow. Following local ordinances and keeping trees trimmed improve access for plow drivers.

Cul-de-sacs and dead ends are specific challenges for drivers providing service. When drivers have difficulties navigating plows in these areas, such as when snow cannot be removed for various reasons or the truck cannot be turned around, more seasoned drivers may back the truck in and drop salt to help reduce the severity of ice and snow.

Have you ever wondered how soon your area will receive plowing service during a large snow event? To address these questions and concerns, Salt Lake County has provided an online Plow Tracker tool. This tool shows the locations of the snowplow trucks and highlights the areas that have recently been plowed.

“All of our trucks are equipped with a GPS that registers where the trucks are and when the plow blades are down,” Kuhlmeier said. “This is a publicly accessible tool that can show where drivers have plowed within the past 12 to 48 hours. The tool can be accessed by visiting your city’s public works or county website. It allows citizens to see where we have been providing service. Also, we have 24-hour dispatch to address and track concerns.”

Great snow brings great responsibility. Salt Lake County Public Works asks residents to remember to be patient during large snow events, avoid parking on the street, understand minor arterial roads are lower priority, avoid blowing snow into the street when clearing walkways and driveways, and when cleaning out a driveway approach, push snow with the flow of the traffic.

Few things are as reassuring to a snowed-in neighborhood as the sight of flashing white lights piercing through the heavy snowfall and the deep rumbling sound of a snowplow blade scraping against the snow-covered asphalt. Snow removal is an essential service that helps ensure a safer, more accessible
community.

If you have questions or concerns about snow removal in your area, use the Salt Lake County online Plow Tracker citizeninsights.geotab.com/#/pwops, call 24-hour dispatch 385-468-6101, or email Salt Lake County Public Works Operations, [email protected]. λ