City Works to Meet Residents' Snow Removal Expectations

On Dec. 14, the City of Golden Valley posted a statement on their website addressing concerns brought up by residents about recent snow removal procedures.

According to the statement, "a spate of calls...from residents indicates that some in the community expect all streets to be cleared to bare pavement after a snowfall."

“The first priority is keeping roads safe for driving, and to some people that means bare pavement,” Bert Tracy, Golden Valley’s public works maintenance manager, said in the statement.

“Snow removal is all about balancing expectations, reality, economics, and environmental concerns,” Public Works Director Jeannine Clancy said. ”Golden Valley does not have a bare pavement policy because traffic volumes and speeds don’t warrant it on the local streets we maintain. Furthermore, there is a desire to limit the amount of chemicals placed on local streets because of environmental impacts to water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and streams. However, other jurisdictions that manage streets with higher volumes and faster speeds need a bare pavement policy to protect the safety of the traveling public.”

Officials from the City of Golden Valley said that depending on weather conditions, de-icing crews use a variation of salt/sand-salt mixture on icy areas. Priority areas are treated first, and all other areas are done when time permits. Priority areas include:

• intersections of City streets and County and State roads
• school and pedestrian crossings
• bridge decks
• arterial street stop sign intersections
• street intersections having higher than average traffic volumes, and streets with hills and curves
• all other stop signs and areas deemed hazardous by public works or police staff

How can Golden Valley residents help in the snow removal process?

• Reduce speed and keep a minimum distance of 50 feet from snowplows and sand trucks (frequent backing is necessary, and rear visibility is very limited).
• Never drive into a snow cloud or pass vehicles while they’re plowing.
• Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snowplow is approaching.
• Keep sleds and toys away from the street when they’re not being used.
• Never build snow forts or snow sculptures in the snow piles on the boulevard.
• Keep garbage cans and recycling carts in the driveway and off roadways and sidewalks if it snows on collection days.
• Listen to weather forecasts so you’re not in transit when a storm hits.

Get more information here about snow removal in Golden Valley, or call Public Works Street Maintenance at 763-593-8081.