Snow Removal

Timeline of Salting / Plowing During a Storm

• For a light storm, we start out fighting the storm with just salt. We have 7 trucks to do the sanding.
• As the storm increases to plowable snow, we try to maintain two trucks per section, which includes mechanics and supervisors.
• In order to let our staff (who cover 140 miles of road) get adequate rest, we try to be home during the hours of 10 pm to 3 am
• Alleys are still important to the City, but sometimes are done later on or the day after storms (Approximately 100 alleys are done by 2 one-ton trucks).
• Alleys and side streets are not always salted with each storm. It depends on the type of storm and the conditions of roads
• Pushbacks due to odd/even parking or vehicles that move after a plow goes by will be done the following day.
• There are no winter shifts anymore, only 7 am to 3:30 pm
• Plowing is difficult and vehicles parked on the road make it even more difficult. Parking in driveways is appreciated.

View the City Snow Removal Map (PDF).

If it is possible, wait to shovel out your driveway until after the snow plows pass through your street. Plow crews often work in teams so don't shovel your driveway out as soon as a plow passes by. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for another plow to go through or for the original plow to make a second pass. If you cannot wait, shovel the entrance to your driveway last. If you shovel it first and a plow passes by while you shovel the rest, the snow that the plow is pushing will empty into the opening you just created.

Another important tip to make shoveling your driveway easier is to pile the snow on the opposite side of the snow plow's approach. On a standard two-way street, this would be the right side of your driveway as you face the street. This way, when the plow passes by, less snow will be pushed back into your driveway (see diagram at right).

It is a public hazard and against New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to shovel snow into the street. This creates a slushy mix on the side of the road that the snow plows may not be able to reach due to parked cars or other roadside obstacles. If you use a snow blower, point the blower away from the street. The Elmira Police Department can cite citizens for shoveling or blowing snow into the street. If you hire a contractor to plow your driveway or shovel your walk, you should make certain that they do not plow or shovel snow into the street. When shoveling, snowblowing, or plowing, you cannot block visibility at a street corner or block pedestrian access to the sidewalk.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of their property. If you fail to clear the sidewalk within 12 hours after it starts snowing, you can be fined $100 by Code Enforcement. It is also the homeowner's responsibility to shovel out fire hydrants on or near their property. If a fire were to break out, the Elmira Fire Department would lose valuable time attempting to locate and dig out a buried fire hydrant.

The Department of Public Works clears the sidewalk from all city-owned properties and parks with tractors.

If you have a driveway, please use it to keep the streets as clear of obstacles as possible. When parking your car on the street during a snowstorm or prior to a forecasted snowstorm, park as close to the curb as possible. If possible, park so that another car is not directly across from you (see diagram at right). It is very difficult for snow plows to maneuver on streets with cars that are parked 2 feet from the curb. If the snow plow cannot fit down the street, then the street cannot be cleaned at that time. This is very important for one way streets where cars are parked on both sides. If parked cars are not staggered, the wide snow plows cannot fit through the narrow street and the street will not be plowed. This is also a serious safety concern as the Elmira Fire Department would not be able to pass through the narrow street.

Overnight parking is regulated by Odd-Even parking according to City Ordinance. Between the hours of 2 am and 7 am, motorists must park on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered calendar days and the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered calendar days. This is very important during snowstorms for streets to be cleaned as quickly and easily as possible and cars in violation can be towed by the Elmira Police Department. If you have overnight guests that need a place to park, overnight parking is available in the Centertown Garage on Gray Street. Not only does this remove the car from city streets, allowing snow plow crews to clean the road easier, but your guests won't have to brush the snow off the car the next day.

If you park your car on the street, it is also a good idea to clean it off. In cases of large snowfall, small cars can be buried quickly and look like snow drifts. Coupled with poor visibility, plow operators could strike a car that has not been properly cleaned off.

Residents are asked to accommodate sanitation personnel by placing all garbage cans, recycle bins, and garbage bags in an area that can be reached from the street. Placing solid waste materials on or behind high snow banks can create trip and slip hazards for employees.