General Guidelines for Snow Removal and Salting

The goal of the Physical Plant Department is to make all University streets, parking lots, sidewalks, stairwells and podium areas safe for pedestrians and accessible for vehicles properly equipped for winter driving during and after each winter storm. The Physical Plant Department will attempt to make all primary roadways, parking lot entrances, building entrances and handicap areas accessible at all times during a winter snow event.

The general policy of the Physical Plant Department is to provide safe travel for those of the University community and others using our streets and parking lots:

Streets and Parking Lots:

• The application of a salt mixture will commence when the streets and parking lots become a safety hazard (slick) to cars and pedestrians.
• The Physical Plant will monitor the conditions either by help from the University Police Department or an on-site inspection of conditions by University personnel.
• Salting will be done from the onset of hazardous conditions to a point where snowplowing is inevitable.

If snow continues past the 3-inch amount, major roadways, campuses entrances, fire lanes, ambulance access road, and disabled access areas will be plowed first. Given the severity of the storm, secondary priorities (see priority list) will be cleared as work load permits. Major clearing operations and snow displacement for parking lots will commence parking lots have cleared to a point to provide plow access.

Sidewalks and Building Entrances:

Criteria: The application of a chemical deicer will commence when sidewalks become a safety hazard (slick) to pedestrian traffic. Sidewalk plowing/sweeping will commence when 1" or more has accumulated. Primary sidewalks and ADA building entrances are first priority (see Snow Response Guide).

• The Physical Plant goal is to have all primary and main entrance sidewalks cleared by 7:30 a.m.
• Chemical deicer will be applied to primary sidewalks and building entrances, if it is deemed necessary.
• Building entrances and ramps will be cleared manually to a point away from the entry where powered snow removal equipment can be safely used.
• Plowing will continue until all sidewalks have been cleaned.

After the snow event we will continue to clear primary and secondary roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, stairwells, docks and building entrances to bare pavement and maintain a clear bare track. Major snow events may cause delays in this plan. Inaccessibility to parking lots because of parked and/or unmoved vehicles may also delay clearing operations. Snow blower operations will commence at 5 a.m. outside most Residence Halls.

On snowy days, PLEASE remember to park in areas that have already been plowed. This will allow our staff to remove the remaining snow as quickly and efficiently as possible.

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