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Snow Removal Program

Department of Public Works

Roads DivisionJanuary 8, 2019

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Snow Removal Implementation

SOP# DPW.05.001

3.2 Once the Chief of Roads has an estimated time as to when the storm will

begin per the National Weather Service, the following procedures will be

implemented:

3.2.1. The County Administrator will be notified in advance of any

impending winter weather emergency.

3.2.2. The Roads Division requires a minimum of four hours to

contact contractors and load contractor loaned or owned

equipment. The Roads Division equipment is sufficient to treat

bridges, intersections, and cold spots.

4.1 Based on the required lead time and expected storm time, the Chief of

Roads will recommend to the Director of Public Works and

implementation time for the snow removal operation to begin.

4.2 The Director of Public Works and the County Administrator will approve

mobilization and implementation of County staff and contractors.

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Equipment BreakdownDescription Phase I Phase II Phase III

Contractor Equipment:

Total Pieces of Equipment Available: 129 243 287

Dump Trucks 85 85 85

4x4 w/Salt 44 156 156

4x4 0 0 17

Tractors 0 2 28

Loaders 0 0 1

County Snow Removal Equipment:

Total Pieces of Equipment: 51

10 Wheel Dump Trucks 4

6 Wheel Dump Trucks 14

4x4 / Crew Cabs (Supervisors) 27

Tractors 2

Loaders 4

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Snow Removal Policy

• When it snows, County and contract forces concentrate on

keeping primary County roads and major residential

neighborhood streets passable. These roads are cleared down

to bare pavement as soon as possible after a storm is over.

• Plowing generally begins when snow becomes 1 to 3 inches

deep and the temperature indicates there will be no melting.

Even after plowing, snow that has been hard packed by traffic

often remains on the street, and the plows are unable to

remove it completely. In this type of situation, a mixture of sand

and salt is spread to provide adequate traction.

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Snow Removal Policy

Roads Designation

Snow

Accumulations

Targeted

Response Time

Primary Roads & Major

Residential Roads

3 to 4 inches Passable within 12 hours

5 to 7 inches Passable within 18 to 24 hours

8 to 10 inches Passable within 24 to 36 hours

11 to 15 inches Passable within 36 to 48 hours

24+ inches Passable within 48 to 60 hours

Minor Residential Roads and

Cul-de-sacs

3 to 4 inches 1 pass made within 12 hours

5 to 7 inches 1 pass made within 18 hours

8 to 10 inches 1 pass made within 24 hours

11 to 15 inches 1 pass made within 36 hours

24+ inches 1 pass made within 48 hours

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EXCEPTIONS

• Please note, the type of snow (wet or powder), the temperatures,

and wind conditions following a storm can alter this schedule.

• In some cases where snow is drifting and blowing, snow plows

will concentrate on snow emergency routes and primary roads.

This may decreases response time to residential or

neighborhood roads.

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Salt Barn – DPW, La Plata Shop

Salt Barn - White Plains

Salt Sheds– Breeze Farm and Pisgah

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Public Awareness

Helpful Tips to Residents

• If you have a driveway, use it. The more cars off the street, the better job we

can do and the less likely it is that your car will be plowed in, splashed by

salt spray, or be the victim of a collision.

• If you do not have a driveway, park as close to the curb as possible on ONE

SIDE OF THE STREET. Park your car on the EVEN NUMBERED side of

the street. Move to the other side of the street after the plow has cleared it.

• To help avoid the frustration that may occur when a snowplow covers your

driveway with snow after you have shoveled, stand facing the street and

shovel snow to the right into your yard instead of into the street.

More tips can be found at: http://www.charlescountymd.gov/pw/roads/snow-removal-

when-it-snows

Public awareness information will be provided before and throughout

the winter season to the public via the County’s Public Information

Officer. 1-888-460-SNOW telephone number will be available to the

public access information during snow storms.

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Inclement Weather Notification Plan

SOP# CAD.01.003

1.1 In the event of inclement weather, heavy snowfall, icing, or

other acts of nature, the following decision process will be

followed:

1.1.1 The County Administrator or designee will confer with

the Director of Public Works and the Director of

Emergency Services (as weather conditions warrant)

regarding the condition of the roads and county

facilities and a decision will be made to delay the

opening or to close county facilities and/or authorize

liberal leave. The County Administrator will

communicate with the President of the County

Commissioners to advise of the decision.

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Presented By:

Charles County Government

Department of Public Works301-932-3440

1001 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646MD Relay Service: 7-1-1

Equal Opportunity EmployerIt is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race,

color, sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual

orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov