City Launches Full-City Plow Dec. 10

Snow response crews are plowing, sanding and deicing citywide.

Kirstin Davis - (509) 625-7773

Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:29 a.m.

City of Spokane snow crews transitioned into a Full-City plow this morning at 10 a.m., after several more inches of snow fell overnight and this morning. Crews are already deployed in both residential areas and on arterials. Residential areas have been being worked since yesterday to address thick snow and problem areas.

Snowfall levels, current warmer temperatures and forecasted freezing weather are presenting conditions requiring plowing, sanding, and deicing primary arterials, hills citywide. Additionally, streets crews are responding to downed trees and large limbs obstructing streets.

Full-City operations means crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until they plow all streets within the City. Additional personnel from water and wastewater will be part of Full-City plowing efforts. Under the City’s snow response plan, a Full-City plow reaching all 2,200 lane miles of streets should take about three days to complete once it stops snowing and dependent on weather conditions.

“Conditions have been challenging already this year with the varying temperatures and high volumes of snow fall,” says Street Director Clint Harris. “Crews are working to balance keeping arterial routes maintained with conditions in residential areas.”

The community is reminded that snow response priority starts with arterials and hills with secondary routes including schools and hospitals following and then working in residential areas. The order for plowing residential routes are posted on the City’s web site; this page also includes the City’s plow map, which will be updated with the progress of the plows. The City’s residential plow route map shows the routes.

Plow teams in residential areas will use snow gates to reduce berms at the end of driveways as much as possible. The City has 19 pieces of equipment outfitted with those gates. 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.

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.

A reminder of how the community can help:

  • 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.
  • The City asks residents and businesses to clear a 36-inch pedestrian path on sidewalks. Please assist your neighbors who may need help removing snow from their driveways and 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.
  • Consider clearing snow and ice around mailboxes and storm drains.
  • Downed trees and large limbs in the right of way should be reported to 311.