Winter 2022-23 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC WORKS

How is street plowing prioritized? When it snows, we all want our streets and driveways cleared as quickly as possible, so we can get on with daily life But sometimes—especially after a large snow event—that may mean waiting for the plow

The Shakopee City Council has adopted a snow plowing and ice control policy that outlines the city's process for efficient and timely snow removal The policy emphasizes safety by priori tizing emergency response and focusing on the most critical time periods (weekday morning and evening commutes) Here's how the city prioritizes its streets, parking lots and trails: 1. Emergency routes: Ensuring emergency fire, police and medical services can travel freely through the city during a storm event is the city's main priority This means plowing main arterial roads and collector streets, as they have the highest traffic volumes and connect major sections of the city Examples: 10th Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Vierling Drive, South bridge Parkway, Eagle Creek Boulevard 2. Access to schools and commercial property: The second priority is streets that provide access to the city's commercial centers and schools This is critical for helping people get to school and work as quickly as possible following a snow event Examples: Shenandoah Drive, downtown Shakopee, Old Carriage Court, Valley Industrial Boulevard N , Valley Industrial Boulevard S 3. Lower volume residential streets: Once plows have cleared the busiest city streets, they focus on ensuring the less-traveled residential streets are cleared This would include most of the residential areas throughout the city 4. Cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks and trails: Due to their size, Public Works typically uses smaller equipment to clear cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks and trails Each fall, the City Council adopts a sidewalk and trails map outlining which sidewalks and trails it will plow during the upcoming season Priority is given to walking paths along main arterial streets and school walking zones 5. Snow hauling: Some areas of the city do not have enough right-of-way to store snow that accumulates from the plowing process This can create sight line and safety issues Thus, Public Works crews typically spend the nights and days following a large storm hauling snow to open city land for storage Example: Downtown Shakopee

WHOPLOWS MY STREET? Not all streets in Shakopee are plowed by the City of Shakopee Public Works Department ■ The City of Shakopee maintains public residential streets and public parking lots ■ Scott County maintains county state aid highways, including Marschall Road, 17th Avenue, Canterbury Road, County Highway 21 and more ■ The Minnesota Department of Transportation maintains Highway 169 and its on and off ramps ■ Neighborhood associations clear private streets, alleys and sidewalks ■ Private businesses maintain their own private parking lots

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