The City of Spokane is in its official snow season. The City’s Street Department crews have been preparing for the inevitable return of winter and have already dealt with a couple of shots of snow. But we thought that now is a good time to provide an overview of the City’s snow response plan. This evening (December 30th, 2021), the city of Spokane is launching a full-city plow. According to Spokane News, city crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until they plow all streets within the city. This should take about three days to complete. 

“While snow response efforts are always challenging, we hope this information can help our citizens prepare for winter weather,” says Mayor Nadine Woodard. “The heart of snow response plan is really pretty simple: More plowing in more areas sooner.”

Here’s a look at the key components of the City’s snow response plan:

Plowing

When it snows, even if it’s just an inch or two, crews will plow all the streets, including residential streets. Crews will complete this "maintenance plow" work in residential areas primarily during regular day shifts Monday through Friday. Arterials plowed first, followed by hills in residential areas. Vehicle routes around schools are medical facilities also have been prioritized.

Driveway Berms

The city will be using snow gates as much as possible in its fleet to avoid driveway berms. The gates don't completely eliminate driveway berms, particularly for those who live on arterials that are plowed more frequently, but they will dramatically reduce berms throughout the city. The city has 17 pieces of equipment with these gates. 

Parking

Citizens are asked to park on the odd side of the street in residential areas for the snow season, which runs from Nov. 15 to March 15. The "odd" side of the street includes odd-numbered addresses. Downtown on snowy days, on-street parking will be prohibited between midnight and 6 a.m. Cars may be towed downtown if not moved. For downtown parking options, call 3-1-1. Clear the snow off parked cars so that snow plowers can see them better. This is to allow plow drivers to do a better job of clearing snow in neighborhoods and to complete their work more efficiently.

Collaboration on Sidewalks

Citizens and businesses must keep their sidewalks shoveled. The city is asking citizens to clear a 36-inch path to allow pedestrians to travel effectively, with a goal of completion by 9 a.m. after a snowfall. Citizens are asked to clear a path even if no sidewalk exists and to clear ADA ramps at intersections. When shoveling or snow blowing, move the snow towards your yard, not the street. Clear snow and ice around mailboxes and storm drains so that plowers can see them better.

Communication

The City will share information before and during the snow season, providing information to the local media and through a variety of communication tools from social media to CityCable 5 to the City’s web site. The City’s online plow progress map will be updated during 24/7 operations to give citizens better information on snow plowing progress. Residential routes are named to closely follow the City’s neighborhood boundaries to make it easier for people to understand where plows are.

Make a Winter Plan

• Move your recreational vehicle, basketball hoop, boat, or trailer off the street to a winter storage location for the snow season.
• Make sure you have adequate snow shovels or a working snowblower. Consider buying some salt or sand.
• Consider signing up with a company that provides snow removal services before the snow flies if you don't want to shovel yourself. 
• Figure out where you can park throughout the snow season from Nov. 15 to March 15. (Everyone is asked to park on the odd side of the street in residential neighborhoods.)
• Figure out what residential snowplow route you live in to make it easier to track the progress of plows. 
• Make sure you know who in your neighborhood might need help with shoveling or other winter work and offer to help. Call 3-1-1 for seniors or disabled individuals who need more help.

View the Spokane Plow Map