When it snows and sleets, city crews respond around the clock in 12-hour shifts to plow snow- and ice-covered streets, and repair equipment. The City has more than 60 employees who use nearly 30 pieces of snow removal equipment throughout the city/ Salt is stockpiled, ready for use, during the winter. During a winter storm, snow removal crews give first priority to main thoroughfares, main routes to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and public transit routes.
Once these routes are clear, crews begin working on residential neighborhood and subdivision streets.
The City asks residents to keep in mind the following guidelines for driving and parking in winter conditions:
• Avoid parking on the street. Snowplows can't fully clear the street with cars in the way.
• Avoid unnecessary travel when crews are clearing snow and ice from the roadways.
• Do not attempt to pass snowplows and stay at least 100 feet behind them.
• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.
• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges.
• When driving on ice, turn slowly, and do not slam on your brakes. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control.
The City also reminds residents that according to Section 6-1-15 of the Code of the City of Harrisonburg, residents must clear snow from sidewalks in front or on the side of their home within three hours after precipitation stops falling, or by 10 a.m. the following morning for overnight storms. Citizens should shovel snow to the right side of their driveways (looking toward the street). This way, snowplows will not push already-shoveled snow back into your driveway.
Please remember that individuals who plow snow from sidewalks, parking lots, or private drives back into the street are in violation of City Ordinance 6-2-5. Depositing snow or ice into a plowed street causes severe safety hazards for motorists. Individuals who cause a hazard in the roadway may be liable for any damages caused by this activity.
Our mission is to minimize the severity of the storm through a comprehensive plan to remove the snow and ice from our roadways, sidewalks, parking lots and public facilities.
Harrisonburg is divided into nine areas operating from two designated staging facilities (Mosby Road Shop in the southern end of the city and Park View Shop in the northwestern section of the city). Each area contains primary routes and primary connector routes that are chemically treated with salt or abrasives prior to snow removal efforts. This process allows drivers to travel no more than two to three blocks before having access to a cleared street. Plus, it clears the way to all emergency facilities such as: hospitals, rescue squads, fire departments and schools. All other streets are chemically treated only if there is a safety issue (severe inclines and intersections) to ensure safe travel. Residential streets are the last to receive snow removal efforts unless it is one of the primary connectors.
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Public Works operates on two twelve-hour shifts. The day shift starts at 7:30 AM and continues to 7:30 PM when the night shift relieves the day shift and continues through the night until 7:30 AM. Each shift has a supervisor to monitor the snow and ice removal efforts and to monitor the conditions of the streets. Every driver has his/her responsibilities and is instructed to use sound judgment in performing their assigned duties.
It is the goal of the snow and ice removal efforts to obtain the following results: snowfall of less than six inches should be cleared within 24 hours after the storm has ceased; snowfall of six to ten inches should be cleared within 48 hours; snowfall between ten and fifteen inches should be cleared within 72 hours; and greater snowfalls will be governed by the conditions that exist.
NOTE: Conditions that may affect snow removal effectiveness are: the time the event hits, the type of event (wet or dry snow, sleet or freezing rain), the rate of accumulation, temperatures and equipment and personnel availability.
