Snow & Ice Removal FAQ
- What does the salt shortage mean to Montgomery?
- How will the City of Montgomery’s snow removal operations change this winter?
- What does this mean to me?
- How much time will plowing take?
- If road conditions will change this winter how does the City of Montgomery decide which roads are a priority and why?
- How can I get information about road conditions during and after winter storms?
- What does it mean when the City of Montgomery declares a Snow Emergency?
- How does the City of Montgomery decide when to declare a Snow Emergency?
- How will I know when a Snow Emergency is declared and on street parking prohibitions are in effect?
- What will the salt shortage mean in terms of road conditions in the Cincinnati area?
- Why not buy more rock salt?
What does the salt shortage mean to Montgomery? - return to top
Many of us have heard about the shortage of deicing rock salt in the Midwest this year. This shortage has resulted in low supplies and higher prices (approximately three times higher than last year’s prices) throughout the Midwest region.
As a result it will be imperative for the City of Montgomery to conserve the amount of salt used during every winter storm as the entire Midwest is faced with a shortage of de-icing rock salt. When comparing the amount of road salt available this winter with the amount of salt used last winter, the City of Montgomery only will only be able to purchase 75% of the total amount of salt used last winter. This potential 25% reduction in the amount of salt available for upcoming winter operations will require conservation efforts to be put in place during every winter storm.
How will the City of Montgomery’s snow removal operations change this winter? - return to top
The City of Montgomery has reviewed snow removal procedures that previously relied heavily on the use of rock salt to plan and have developed procedures that will include a different approach of combining snow plowing with sensible salting when snow accumulations begin to approach, or exceed one and one half (1 and ½”) inches.
What does this mean to me? - return to top
Motorists should expect different road conditions this winter in Montgomery during and after winter storms. Snow removal operations may not always result in “bare” or “wet” pavement on minor residential, cul-de-sac or other non through roadways when snowfalls exceed one and one half (1 and ½”) inches. So tips to better cope with the road conditions during a winter storm include:
- Allow more time for getting to your destination during winter storms.
- Check the City’s web site or local TV stations for updates on driving conditions and on street parking prohibitions.
- Keep parked cars off City streets during and after winter storms unless it is confirmed that on-street parking prohibitions are not in effect.
How much time will plowing take? - return to top
Plowing smaller accumulations of snow rather than applying salt to simply melt snow will take more time. Completing snow removal on lesser traveled residential streets and cul-de-sacs is projected to require the following timeframes after snow is no longer accumulating:
- 4 hours for snowfalls less than 1”
- 12-16 hours for snowfalls between 1” and 3”
- 16-20 hours for snowfalls between 3” and 6”
- 20-28 hours for snowfalls between 6” and 10”
- Over 30 hours for snowfalls in excess of 10”
If road conditions will change this winter how does the City of Montgomery decide which roads are a priority and why? - return to top
Montgomery’s snow removal efforts are based on a roadway prioritization system for snow removal that are based on traffic volumes and posted speed limits.
- Arterial roads are the first roads deiced and plowed. Arterial roads have high traffic volumes and are the “backbone” of a regional roadway network. Examples of arterial roads include Montgomery Road, Cooper Road, Pfeiffer Road and Hopewell Road.
- Collector roads are the next priority. These roads provide connections between subdivisions and have lower traffic volumes than arterials. Many Montgomery residents use collector roads between their homes and the arterial roadway network .Some examples of collector roads include Deerfield Road, Weller Road and Zig Zag Road.
- Residential through streets are typically the next priority. These subdivision streets typically have low traffic volumes and in may instances connect directly to arterial or collector roads.
- The final priority includes cul-de-sacs and other non-through roadways. These roads have the lowest traffic volumes.
In some instances the City’s snow removal priority system based on traffic volumes and speed limits has been modified due to the presence of significant hills or even an intersection with a higher volume or higher speed roadway.
How can I get information about road conditions during and after winter storms? - return to top
Other than calling the City of Montgomery during regular business hours at 891-2424, a 24 hour information line will be available on December 5, 2008. The City’s SNOW LINE at 792-8345 will include pre-recorded messages updating progress on snow removal during winter storms. The SNOW LINE will be updated during winter storms with periodic updates and information about snow removal crews’ progress as well as projections about snow removal based on current weather forecasts. As the SNOW LINE includes only pre-recorded messages callers will not have direct contact to customer service representatives.
What does it mean when the City of Montgomery declares a Snow Emergency? - return to top
If a winter storm results in accumulations of snow or even freezing rain that require removal by plowing, a Snow Emergency may be declared. If a Snow Emergency is declared by the City of Montgomery all on-street parking is prohibited while the declaration remains in effect.
How does the City of Montgomery decide when to declare a Snow Emergency? - return to top
The decision to declare a snow emergency is made based upon the weather forecast as well as observable winter weather conditions present in the City of Montgomery. Generally the declaration will be made based upon accumulating snow or icing conditions or the strong possibility of such conditions on Montgomery streets.
How will I know when a Snow Emergency is declared and on street parking prohibitions are in effect? - return to top
The City of Montgomery will provide a posting to the City’s web site as well as contacting media outlets such as local TV and radio stations when a Snow Emergency is declared. These media “points” make it easy for residents to check during winter storms to see if temporary on-street parking prohibitions have been established.
What will the salt shortage mean in terms of road conditions in the Cincinnati area? - return to top
Undoubtedly, motorists will see a change in the condition of County maintained roadways this winter as the County Engineer’s department only has about 50% of the amount of salt they would use in a typical winter available for use during the upcoming winter season.
All cities and townships in the Cincinnati area and even the Ohio Department of Transportation have indicated that the salt shortage will change their snow removal operations to conserve available salt supplies.
Why not buy more rock salt? - return to top
Beside the dramatic increase in pricing for rock salt, rock salt is simply not available in the quantities historically used in the southwest Ohio region. This means that whenever possible a conservative use of road salt is necessary.