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Winter Weather Alert
Here comes winter
With winter weather in the forecast tonight, Lexington is prepared with an expanded snow fleet, and additional personnel.
“We’re ready, and we hope drivers are ready to be cautious,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “We’ve invested an additional $2.2 million in snow equipment and personnel this year, and planning and preparations have been ongoing for months. We are prepared to respond with more resources than in the past. However, what’s most important is that our community’s drivers be prepared to use extra caution.”
Rob Allen, Director of Streets and Roads, said, “Our response plan includes more than 100 personnel and 45 pieces of equipment within government, plus our contractor partners supplying up to 11 trucks.”
Pre-treating started early this afternoon on Man O War, bridges, overpasses, and hills, and will continue throughout the day. On-call crews will report at 8 tonight. and work overnight until relieved by the day shift at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Primary contractor crews will be called in to assist with treatment, as needed.
In September, the government began meeting regularly with key partner agencies including Fayette County Public Schools, the University of Kentucky, Lextran, and LexPark to prepare for winter weather. That planning is ongoing.
In October, snow removal crews participated in classroom and hands-on training, driving snowplows on a closed obstacle course. Additionally, they have rehearsed winter routes to familiarize themselves with streets, and any challenges they may encounter.
Snow removal in Lexington is a combined effort of local and state government. The city is responsible for snow and ice removal for approximately 1,428 lane miles of city and county roads, as well as more than 84 miles of sidewalk. The state is responsible for plowing approximately 878 lane miles of state roads.
Treatment and snow removal is based on a ranking system, with the highest rankings given to streets with highest traffic volume, and priority given to streets that are frequently used for public transportation, emergency services, or by Fayette County Public Schools.
Following a severe winter storm last January, Lexington allocated additional resources to winter weather response. These improvements included:
- Purchasing five new snowplows and salt spreaders for smaller trucks.
- Making increased use of trucks in Parks & Recreation that already have snowplows and salt spreaders.
- Using private contractors through emergency contracts to help clear neighborhood streets.
- Purchasing an additional three tanker trucks to increase the city’s ability to apply salt brine and beet heat.
Following are a few frequently asked questions about snow removal:
What streets does the city plow? Treatment and snow removal is based on a ranking system, with the highest rankings given to streets with high traffic volume, and priority given to streets that are frequently used for transportation, emergency services, or by Fayette County Public Schools. Only ranked roads will be plowed in a typical snow event.
Crews came and plowed my street, but it snowed again. Will they come back? Once ranked streets have been plowed one time, the crews return, by rank, to the streets that need to be re-plowed.
Snowplows have plowed my street, why is the road still hazardous? When the sun melts snow, it runs off into the street and can refreeze when the temperature drops overnight. Additionally, road treatment doesn’t work as well when it is extremely cold from prolonged low temperatures. Vehicles can also push snow around, leading to snow on a plowed road.
What road treatments does the city use? When snow is in the forecast, the pre-treatment strategy is determined by the forecast. Typically, certain roads and bridges are pre-treated with beet brine. If the event starts with rain, pre-treatment with brine is ineffective, and we use rock salt. The plowing operation typically begins when snow starts to accumulate.
Why does the city sometimes use brine or salt instead of plow, or plow instead of applying brine or salt? Decisions depend on air temperature, pavement conditions, time of day, and type of precipitation. Plowing may be more effective in some conditions; while brining and salting is not effective on cold, dry or drifting snow.
When snowplows leave snow at the end of a driveway will the city clear it? Unfortunately, no. Lexington has thousands of driveways along city streets, and city resources must be dedicated to clearing streets. When you shovel your driveway and sidewalk, clear an eight-foot space to the left of your driveway so that snow pushed to the side of the road by a plow will have an empty space that isn’t your driveway. This should help keep the end of your driveway clear.
Why do snowplow trucks sometimes just ride around without plowing? Trucks may be applying anti-icing materials such as beet brine, checking road conditions, or returning to city facilities for vehicle maintenance or additional supplies.
What can I do to help city crews? Workers can plow more quickly when there are fewer obstacles to navigate. Keeping the ranked roads clear of cars can help crews work faster, and more safely. During significant snow events, residents should not drive unless absolutely necessary. Those who must drive should keep a safe distance from any snow equipment on the roads.
What is the city doing about people who are homeless during cold weather? Street outreach teams will notify unsheltered persons of forecasted conditions. Multiple shelters across the city are available for people experiencing homelessness, including the new LFUCG winter shelter located at 1306 Versailles Road, which added 216 beds. Free transportation to shelters is available. More information can be found in the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention cold weather plan.
How can I get information about what the city is doing during a weather event? The city will post the most up-to-date information on snow removal efforts as well as closings, delays and cancellations on its website at lexingtonky.gov/snowupdates. You can also find more information and social media to follow at lexingtonky.gov/snow.
To receive the most current weather updates follow Lexington Emergency Management
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