Snow and Ice Removal
The City of Burnsville's Street Department with
help from the Water/Sewer Department and Parks Department plows 278 miles of streets, city parking lots and sidewalks.
Our city averages 40 inches of snow per year. City crews plow an average of 10 times per year.
Plowing normally begins at 3:00 am depending on snowfall amount
Sixteen plow routes throughout the city are handled in the same way to ensure the same level of service to everyone
Streets are plowed and/or salted and sanded in the following priority:
1. Thoroughfares
2. Commercial/industrial
3. Collectors and steep grades
4. Residential
Sidewalks are plowed in the following priority:
1. School walks
2. Bus routes and commercial areas
3. Recreation walks
Sidewalk Snow Removal
The City will continue to plow sidewalks for the 2008-2009 winter season.
The City clears approximately 70 of the 100 miles of sidewalks located in Burnsville. We review the routes annually to prioritize the walks that are used for the following purposes: school access; church access; bus route access; shopping access and recreational walks. In developing the routes we work in conjunction with the various school districts in Burnsville. Snow removal begins the same day as street plowing. If winter conditions become so severe that it is virtually impossible to plow the priority walks, sidewalk plowing is discontinued except for the areas immediately adjacent to schools.
Burnsville uses contractors to plow 53 center line miles of streets when there is more than 2" of snow. This is the shaded area on the map. When just sanding is required, City staff cover the entire city. (Snowplow Route Map)
Ice Control
Sanding trucks are out nearly every day during an average winter, sanding in force an average of 25 times per year. An ice control aggregate mixture of coarse sand for traction and 15-20% rock salt for melting is spread on ice build-up or hard packed snow. The rock salt starts to lose its melting ability when the temperature is below 20 degrees, and is totally ineffective below 10 degrees. The City uses an average of 7,500 tons if ice control aggregate mix a year.
What can citizens do to help City crews work more efficiently?
Snow removal and ice control is a time consuming and dangerous job. Citizens can be of particular assistance by adhering to these general policies:
DO:
Know and understand the Snow/Ice Control Procedures and act accordingly.
Keep up on the weather forecast. Be prepared for conditions. Drive carefully, even if the streets look sanded.
Be patient. Plowing and sanding take time.
Expect maintenance vehicles to back up frequently.
DON'T:
Don't park your car on the street after a snowfall.
Don't throw snow from your driveway onto the street or sidewalk.
Don't place garbage cans or recycling containers in the street for pickup. They belong in the driveway. Keep them back at least six feet from the street.