Public Works Prepares For Winter
Snow Regulations
When it snows, Public Works hits the streets.
The Public Works Department begins its task of keeping 230 miles of streets in Arlington Heights cleared of ice and snow accumulation. As snow removal and ice control operations begin, drivers will fist clear the arterial and collector streets. Trucks will make two opening passes on all streets and then return later to plow the street full width to the curb. Residents are advised to wait until after the plows have moved the snow to the curb before attempting to clean their driveway apron. An additional crew is called in to clear eight miles of sidewalks around public parking lots, around areas leading to the downtown train station and around Village owned buildings.
Parking Restrictions:
Parking is not allowed on Village streets from 2 AM to 5 AM daily. In addition, no parking is allowed on Village streets after two inches of snowfall, until such time that the street is completely cleared of snow.
Snow Deposits on Streets:
Snow cleared from private areas may not be deposited on public walks or streets. Snow cleared from walks or drives may not be deposited in the streets. Besides being against Village ordinance, these practices may result in hazardous conditions.
In general, when snow accumulations are two inches or less, crews will apply a salt/liquid deicer mixture to soften the snow and prevent ice from bonding to the pavement. The salt is pre-wetted with a liquid blend consisting of salt brine, liquid calcium chloride and sugar beet juice. The use of this liquid blend allows us to use less rock salt while achieving improved snow-melting performance. This pre-wetting of the road salt allows us to save money by using less salt while also using a more eco-friendly material.
When snow accumulations exceed three inches, the front-mounted plows are used to move the snow off streets and onto parkways. Plows will first clear the arterial and collector streets. Trucks will make two opening passes on all streets, then return later to plow the full-width of the street to the curb.
Residents are advised to wait until after the plows have moved the snow to the curb before attempting to clean their driveway apron.
An additional crew is called in to clear sidewalks around public parking lots, on selected pedestrian routes leading to the Downtown train station, and around Village-owned buildings. Additionally, two employees are called out to salt and plow Village-owned parking lots at locations such as the Police station, four Fire stations, Senior Center, Teen Center, and the commuter parking lots.
The Village has approximately 300 cul-de-sacs which are divided into 10 zones for plowing operations. Each zone is assigned a driver with a small pick-up truck or a 1-ton dump truck with a plow. These crews plow these tighter areas when snow is two to three inches deep or greater.
Reminders & Tips
- No parking is allowed on Village streets after two inches of snowfall, until such time that the street is completely cleared of snow. Per Village Ordinance, parking is prohibited from 2 a.m. – 5 a.m. daily, regardless of weather conditions.
- Snow cleared from walks or drives may not be deposited in the streets. Besides being against Village ordinance, these practices may result in hazardous conditions. Depositing snow in the street in front of your driveway after streets are cleared could result in an icy patch that could be dangerous to your family and neighbors.
- To the extent possible, keep areas around fire hydrants clear.
- Be a good neighbor and if you can, shovel sidewalks especially where the sidewalk ends at a crosswalk.
- Remind children that when building snow forts they need to remain on private property and should not build a snow fort on the parkways adjacent to streets. Constructing a snow fort next to the street can be dangerous.
Keeping Your Drive Way Clear
When clearing snow from your driveway, shovel snow in the direction of traffic, and try to make a pocket on the opposite side of the driveway, as shown. By doing so, snow that is plowed will be dumped into that pocket and not back on your driveway.
Telephone Numbers Regarding Snow Removal
The Village’s Public Works Department does not plow Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and county roads within the Village. For information on roadway plowing conditions please call the following numbers.
Arlington Heights Snow Command:
To report a problem such as a street that may have missed being plowed
Phone: 847.368.5834
Illinois Department of Transportation:
For problems on the following streets: Algonquin Rd.; Golf Rd.; Northwest Highway; Rand Rd.; Palatine Rd.; Dundee Rd.; Wilke Rd. north of Thomas St. north to Dundee Rd.; Arlington Heights Rd. between Palatine Rd. and I-90; Central Rd. between Arthur and Dunton.
Phone: 847.439.0100
Cook County Department of Highways, Schaumburg:
For problems on the following streets: Central Rd. between Dunton Ave. and Old Wilke Rd.; Euclid Ave. between Rohlwing Rd. and Walnut Ave.; Wilke Rd. between Northwest Highway and 1,000 feet north of Thomas St.; Arlington Heights Rd. between Palatine Rd. and Lake Cook Rd.; and Lake Cook Rd.
Phone: 847.397.4145
Cook County Department of Highways, Des Plaines:
For problems on the following streets: Euclid Ave. east of Waterman Ave.; Thomas St. east of Arlington Heights Rd.; Schoenbeck Rd.; Hintz Rd. east of Arlington Heights Rd.; Buffalo Grove Rd.; and Old Buffalo Grove Road.
Phone: 847.827.1164