SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 14, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake City officials are offering advice to residents and drivers as a winter storm sweeps across the State.
There have been a total of 141 slide offs across the three Wasatch Counties so far Monday.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a winter storm warning for much of the state of Utah, including Salt Lake County.
Four to eight inches of snow are expected on the valley floors along the Wasatch Front over the next two days, with 12 to 24 inches accumulating in the mountains.
The Mayor’s office has issued a list of Salt Lake City facts and tips to help everyone who lives, works or visits get through the season a little smoother.
City Snow Removal Services:
- In Salt Lake City, snow is plowed from a total of 1,858 lane miles of roads—enough road to reach to St. George and back 3 times. In an average snow season, city plows drive a total of 80,000 miles—equivalent of driving the circumference of the earth 3.2 times.
- Depending on how cold the temperatures are, the city uses 15,000 to 20,000 tons of salt each year to keep the roads safe—that’s the weight of 3,000 elephants.
- The City has 45 snow trucks and 90 snow drivers and provides 24/7 operation on a 12-hour rotation. Typically, once it stops snowing, the City can completely clear city streets within 36 hours.
- All roads are classified by priority one, two and three. Priority one roads are arterial roads that provide access key locations and services such as fire stations, hospitals and schools. Priority two roads are local collectors that feed into arterial roads. Priority three roads are residential roads. In a snow event, all resources begin by keeping the priority one roads open. Once this is accomplished they move to priority twos and threes.
- Snow is removed at parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, and the City Cemetery which amount to 47 miles of sidewalks and trails, 31 acres of parking lots and nine miles of roads in the City Cemetery.
- The city also removes snow from corners and crosswalks in the central (downtown) business district and the Sugar House business district.
- The city has plows that fit within the protected bike lanes to clear them of snow. Bike lanes will be plowed at the same priority level as the streets they are on.
Property Owner Responsibilities:
- Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from city sidewalks adjacent to their property. Make a minimum 42” wide path (or the width of the sidewalk if narrower than 42”) for the full length of the sidewalk including from corners and curb ramps within 24 hours after the end of the storm (City Code 14.20.070). Ice must be removed to bare pavement, or made as level as possible and treated with ice melt, sand or similar material. Do not move snow into the street or onto other sidewalks (City Code 14.20.080). Please remove snow from fire hydrants, benches and vehicles.
- Salt Lake City Civil Enforcement enforces the ordinance. Each property will receive one warning per winter season. Fines range from $50-200 depending on the size of the property and the duration the sidewalks have been left uncleared after the storm. Call (801) 535-7225 to report a violation.
- People who are elderly or people with disabilities may need assistance with meeting their obligation to remove snow from adjacent city sidewalks. The Mayor’s Office encourages residents to be aware of neighbors who may need help with snow removal. Reach out and provide a helping hand.
- While sidewalk snow removal is generally the responsibility of adjacent property owners, the city is now in its third year of removing snow from sidewalks in limited, high-traffic or uniquely challenging areas such as 400 South, Foothill Drive and a section on the west side of Redwood road.
Driver Responsibilities:
- Slow down and allow extra time to get to your destination.
- Where possible park vehicles off the street to allow for better plowing and safety of people and property. Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 48 hours (City Code 12.56.520).
- Stay back at least 200 feet from plows and salters. Do not cut in front of plows as they are unable to stop as fast as smaller vehicles.
- This snow season, the City is conducting a new pilot study on restricting parking on one side of the street from 1-6 a.m. during a very limited number of city-declared snow emergencies. The pilot study will be on nine streets throughout the city. Neighbors on those streets will be notified and educated about the pilot. During the study, failure to comply with the parking restriction will only result in warnings, not citations. For more information on the program, visit http://www.slcgov.com/streets/pilot-study-city-removing-sidewalk-snow.
- The Salt Lake City Police Department reminds the public to not leave their vehicles warming up in their driveways during the winter months due to the increased amount of theft. According to the SLCPD, they see approximately 300 vehicles stolen each year solely because they are left running with the keys inside. Visit http://slcpd.com/idling-cars-make-great-christmas-presents-for-criminals/ for more information.
Additional information is available at www.slcgov.com/snow. Ordinances and laws may vary by City. Residents should contact their local city for specific snow removal information in their area.
