SNOW REMOVAL

Snow and Ice Control Plan

• Anti-icing:  Bridges and selected streets will be treated with anti-icing chemicals before freezing, icing, or other winter conditions.  Application timing and rates depend on roadway temperatures, precipitation, and day of the week.  Treatments may be scheduled up to 72 hours in advance if conditions warrant.
• Primary Routes:  Snow and ice removal on primary streets begins before a forecasted storm to prevent ice bonding.  These routes are cleared to near-bare pavement within 12 hours after the storm ends, with snow pushed to the curb or edge.
• Secondary Routes:  Cleared within 24 hours after primary routes.  Snow may not be removed to near-bare pavement but will allow for safe travel and mail delivery.
• Cul-de-sacs and Dead-End Streets:  Cleared within 24 hours after primary routes.  Snow may not reach near-bare pavement but will be cleared to the curb or edge.
• Minor Snowfalls (>2 inches):  Secondary routes, cul-de-sacs, and dead-end streets will be cleared as part of regular or overtime shifts.
• City Parking Lots:  Cleared within 12 hours after the storm.  A minimal number of parking spaces may be used for snow stockpiling.
• Sidewalks on City Property:  For storms exceeding two inches, sidewalks will be cleared within 12 hours after the storm.
• City Alleys:  Cleared during regular work shifts for snowfalls of four inches or more, after streets, sidewalks, and parking lots have been addressed.
• Downtown Sidewalks and Parking Areas:  Snow will be removed when forecasts indicate it will not melt soon and is obstructing access to businesses.

All streets, parking lots, and applicable sidewalks are covered under this plan to ensure public safety and accessibility during winter weather events.

Resources

The normal Public Works work shift is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding City holidays.

For snow and ice events expected to arrive or continue beyond the normal workday, staff are divided into A and B shifts.  Each shift typically works 12 hours, providing a 24-hour response capability to ensure streets and public areas are cleared efficiently.

Helpful Hints

The Public Works Department strives to provide the best service possible during and after snow and ice events.  Residents can help by following these guidelines:

• Avoid parking on City streets while it is snowing.  Keep vehicles off the streets until snow clearing operations are complete.  This allows crews to safely travel streets and clear snow from driving and parking lanes to the curbs.
• Do not push snow into the street.  This creates a hazard, violates City Ordinance, and increases the workload for Public Works crews.
• Shovel snow onto your yard, not the street.  When clearing your driveway, place snow to the left-hand side of your driveway.  This helps reduce the amount of snow pushed back into your driveway when streets are plowed.
• Winter driving tips:  The Illinois Department of Transportation provides helpful guidance for safe winter driving.

Primary and Secondary Snow Routes

The City’s Snow and Ice Control Plan divides City streets into primary and secondary routes:

• Primary Routes:
  • Make up approximately 50 percent of the City’s street system.
  • Include arterial streets, collector streets, bus routes, and school and hospital routes.
  • Designed so most residents are within three blocks of a primary route.
  • Divided into seven separate routes, ranging from 19 to 25 miles each.
  • For more information, see the Primary Snow Routes Map.
• Secondary Routes:
  • Include the remaining City streets, cul-de-sacs, and dead-end streets.
  • Cleared only after primary routes are completed.
  • Snow removal on secondary routes may be temporarily paused to return crews to primary routes during ongoing snow events.
• IDOT Streets:
  • Some streets within the City are owned and maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
  • Snow and ice control on these streets is the responsibility of IDOT.
  • IDOT streets within Champaign are shown on the Primary Snow Routes Map and listed below.
    • Springfield Avenue (Illinois Route 10)
    • Mattis Avenue between Bloomington Road and Springfield Avenue
    • Prospect Avenue between Marketview Drive and Springfield Avenue
    • Bloomington Road west of Prospect Avenue
    • Neil Street south of Springfield Avenue
    • Church Street west of Mattis Avenue
    • University Avenue west of Mattis Avenue

Alleys

For storm events with four inches or more of snow, City alleys will be cleared.  Alley snow removal is performed during regular work shifts and is completed after all City streets, sidewalks, and parking lots have been cleared.

Deicers

The City uses three types of chemical deicers for snow and ice control:  rock salt (sodium chloride), liquid calcium chloride, and salt brine.  All work by lowering the freezing point of water.  Their effectiveness depends on several factors, including chemical concentration, pavement temperature, weather conditions, road type, shading, and traffic patterns.

Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride):

• Effective until temperatures drop to about 20°F
• Provides basic snow and ice control on most surfaces
• Application rates vary by temperature:
  • 25-30°F:  100-200 pounds per lane mile
  • 20°F:  300-400 pounds per lane mile

Liquid Calcium Chloride (32 percent solution):

• Melts snow and ice at lower temperatures than rock salt (effective down to 5°F)
• Typically mixed with rock salt at 6-12 gallons per ton, though up to 15 gallons may be used
• Offers a quicker response than salt alone and reduces salt “bounce,” keeping more materials on the pavement

Salt Brine (23 percent solution):

• Used as a pre-wetting agent or at higher temperatures than liquid calcium
• Applied when temperatures are expected to be above 25°F
• Typically mixed at 6-12 gallons per ton of salt to improve adherence and effectiveness.

Anti-icing

Anti-icing is a proactive snow and ice strategy designed to prevent ice from bonding to pavement surfaces.  It involves applying liquid ice control chemicals before or at the onset of a snow or ice event.

• Application Rates:  25-50 gallons per lane mile, up to 72 hours in advance of a storm
• How it Works:  The liquid dries on the pavement, leaving a coating that helps prevent moisture from bonding to the surface.
• Materials Used:  Depending on expected precipitation and temperatures, either salt brine or liquid calcium chloride is applied.

Anti-icing reduces the amount of snow and ice that accumulates, allowing plows and other treatments to work more effectively.

Q:  Why can’t you plow my street now?

A:  Streets are prioritized to clear major travel routes first, ensuring public safety vehicles can access most areas.  Primary plowing also provides the most residents a cleared roadway within two-to-three blocks of their home.  Other priorities include schools, hospitals, major commercial centers, and other high-use facilities.

Q:  The plow left snow at the end of my driveway.  Can someone clear it?

A:  The City has thousands of driveways along City streets.  Clearing driveways would require significant resources that are dedicated to clearing primary and neighborhood streets.

Q:  Can you tell me exactly when my street will be plowed?

A:  The City aims to clear all primary routes within 12 hours after the snow stops.  Neighborhood streets are cleared within 24 hours after primary routes, and cul-de-sacs and dead-ends within 36 hours.  Exact times cannot be provided due to weather variations such as blowing snow or other conditions.  See the Primary Snow Routes Map for more information.

Q:  Why do you sometimes salt instead of plow, or plow instead of salt?

A:  Decisions depend on air temperature, pavement conditions, time of day, and precipitation type.  Plowing may be more effective in some conditions, while salting could be counterproductive on cold, dry, or drifting snow.

Q:  Why do snow plow trucks sometimes just ride around without plowing?

A:  Depending on conditions, the trucks may be applying anti-icing materials, checking road conditions, or returning for additional materials.

Q:  Salt corrodes my car, sidewalk, and driveway.  Couldn’t you use cinders instead?

A:  Abrasives like sand or cinders increase traction but do not melt snow and ice.  They also create stormwater, tracking, and maintenance issues, making them less effective for winter road safety.

Q:  I have a heart condition.  Can you plow my street in case of an emergency?

A:  Public Works works with METCAD, the Police, and Fire Departments to ensure emergency access during snow events.  Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911; dispatchers will coordinate plow access for emergency vehicles.

Q:  When is parking prohibited on City streets?

A:  Residents are encouraged to use off-street parking during snowfalls to allow crews to clear streets efficiently.

Q:  Who is responsible for plowing State roads?

A:  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) maintains State roads, including snow removal.  State roads are shown on the Primary Snow Routes Map.

Q:  Why does it take longer to plow cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets?

A:  Cul-de-sacs and dead-ends have lower traffic volumes and cannot be plowed using standard trucks.  Fewer specialized units are available, so clearing may take longer.

Q:  Who do I contact with general snow and ice removal questions?

A:  Call the Public Works Operation Division at 217-403-4700.

Q:  Who do I contact if my property, car, or mailbox is damaged by snow removal?

A:  Report damages as soon as possible to Public Works Operations at 217-403-4700.  Include your name, address, phone number, and description of the damage.  Note:  Most mailbox damage is caused by thrown snow, not direct contact with the plow.  Residents can help prevent damage by ensuring mailbox posts or supports are sturdy.