WINTER WEATHER PLANNING

Peoria Snow Routes:
The city of Peoria is organized into a number of snow routes to treat our streets efficiently and effectively. The snow route maps are continuously updated throughout the year. Download our snow route map here: Snow Route Map. Read our  Snow Removal and Ice Control Plan here:  Snow Removal and Ice Control Plan.

Color Key:
Red = “Primary Snow Route”
Blue = “Residential Street/Off Route”
Yellow =  “Maintained by Other Agency”
Orange = “Maintained by Peoria County”
Black = “Maintained by Private Entity”
Purple = “Maintained by the State of Illinois”
Green = “Maintained by Park District”
Gray = “Other”

The city of Peoria Public Works Department snow fighters begin an all-out plowing effort whenever two (2”) inches of snowfall is forecast and/or has accumulated. Efforts continue as the snow continues to fall and after it ceases. The primary goals of the snow removal 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 storms.

The City does not have a “bare pavement” policy on residential streets as this would dramatically increase costs and can have negative environmental impacts. Matching the level of service to vehicular volumes reduces salt usage while providing safer travel conditions.

Snow Removal and Timing:
It is the City’s goal to plow all of its roadways  (primary and residential streets) of snow accumulation in as timely a manner as possible. Read and review the follow standards outlined for the 2022-2023 season:

Between two and six inches:

• Removal within 24 hours after the snowfall has ended

Six inches or more:

• Removal within 36 hours after the snowfall has ended

These goals may or may not be met when there are extreme snow storms, high winds, or in events resulting in snow accumulation greater than six inches (6″) or more. All of these scenarios may require additional time to clear.

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 is applied to problem areas. Typically 0-4 hours are 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 the 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 are estimated to complete after the 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 are estimated to complete plowing after the 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. It 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. It 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 three hours or more 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 vehicles.

The City has established a Priority Plowing system for our 493 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 have 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 on primary streets. 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 during a storm event. Crews will return later to finish pushing the snow back “close to curb” to clear storm inlets if and when possible.

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. Wind rows from plowing can also make it difficult to place trash cans for collection and minimize access from the alley to properties. Typically, alleys are cleared after residential plowing is completed.

The City of Peoria has over 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 length. 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 and Sidewalks 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 Peoria Police Department will 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.

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 United States 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 pavement 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 feet in each direction. Additionally, the address and/or any lettering should be on the mailbox facing the delivery side. Mailboxes should be kept in a good state of repair to resist wind and flying snow from the plow blades.

For more information or to report mailbox damage, call (309) 494-8800.

All City parking lots will be plowed during the first available night shift following a storm event. This is accomplished by 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.

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 $50 every 24 hours if not moved, 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 automatically in effect with an accumulation of two (2”) or more inches of snow or as otherwise declared by City officials. These bans 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.