Marlene Feist, 509.625.6505
Friday, February 8, 2019 at 3:08 p.m.
With snow falling throughout the day and more anticipated, the City of Spokane is initiating a Full-City Plow starting at 5:30 p.m. today, when the Street Department shift change occurs. City crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until they plow all streets within the City. Additional crews from water and wastewater are part of full-City plowing efforts, and between 50 and 60 pieces of equipment will be out working.
Under the City’s revamped snow response plan, a full-City plow should take about three days to complete. With additional waves of snow expected over the next couple of days, the plow could take longer as crews will need to rework arterials and other locations.
Today, crews have been working on arterials primarily, but teams also have been deployed to residential hill areas. The order of the residential routes will be posted to the City’s web site; this page also includes the City’s plow map, which will be updated with the progress of plows once the full-City plow gets under way. The City’s residential plow route map shows the routes.
Vehicles should be parked on the odd side of the street in residential areas to assist plows. Berms are likely in front of cars, even those parked on the odd side of the street. The parking restrictions are intended to allow plow drivers to do a better job of clearing snow in neighborhoods and to complete their work more efficiently.
Plow teams in residential areas will use snow gates to avoid leaving berms at the end of driveways as much as possible. The City has 16 pieces of equipment outfitted with those gates, more than double the amount from last snow season. Crews will work to plow snow away from the curb to help keep snow away from sidewalks. Snow also may be pushed to center medians in some cases. Plowing in the downtown has not yet been scheduled.
The City asks citizens clear a 36-inch pedestrian path on sidewalks. Please assist your neighbors who may need help removing snow from their driveways and sidewalks. Seniors or disabled individuals can call 3-1-1 to connect with resources for shoveling sidewalks.
Don’t blow or shovel snow into the street, but back into your yard. Clear snow off parked cars to allow plow drivers to see them better, and consider clearing snow and ice around mailboxes and storm drains.
When driving in these wintry conditions, the City is asking motorists to slow down, be patient, and drive according to the conditions. Don't follow plows closely, and please do not try to pass plow trucks; it is very dangerous. This storm also is expected to include cold temperatures and wind, so visibility may be a problem for drivers.
