Snow Removal Plan

Streets Maintenance Responsibilities: The City of Homer Public Works Department plows and sands 91 lane miles of City Streets as well as an additional 2.54 miles of State Roads located within the City.  

What Is Our Goal? Our main goal is to provide an expedient and efficient snow removal operation. There are actually two steps implemented to accomplish this. (1) During snowfalls, snow fighters concentrate on keeping our main arterials passable for emergency and high volume traffic flows, and…(2) after the snowfall subsides the crews concentrate efforts on clearing snow from all streets for  public use as promptly as possible. So yes, neighborhood and residential streets will be cleared last, but all streets are generally cleared within 18 hours.

Who Begins A Snow Removal Operation? During normal business hours, 8:00 a.m.~ 4:30 p.m., Monday ~ Friday, the Public Works Superintendent, or his designee, decides when conditions warrant the commencement of snow removal operations. After hours, the Public Works On-Call Supervisor makes the determination when conditions including, snow, sleet or freezing rain produce hazardous driving conditions. The Public Works Department provides for twenty four hours of coverage using the On-Call Supervisor system.

Who Clears the Sidewalks & Bike Pathways? The City of Homer clears the snow from the sidewalks located on Bartlett St., Hohe St., Pioneer Ave., Heath St., Hazel Ave., and Poopdeck St. and Greatland St. We also clear the snow from the Beluga Slough and Homer Spit Pathways. The State of Alaska, ADOT/PF clear the snow from the sidewalks along the Sterling Highway (By-Pass), Lake Street and East End Road.

When Are Streets Plowed? Snow removal operations generally begin when snowfall accumulations have exceed more than two inches in depth. If the snowfall continues, clean up may be delayed until after the snowfall event has subsided. In all cases, clean up procedures will commence before six inches of snow accumulation. During significant snow storm events our crews are called in to begin operations at 4:00 a.m. and remain on duty until the event has subsided or becomes manageable. 

When Are Streets Sanded? Top priorities for sanding are the main arteries, intersections, school bus routes and steep roads (particularly north/south streets). Sanding generally occurs at 4:00 a.m. prior to the school busses leaving for their respective routes. If a significant snowfall has or is occurring, this may be delayed due to the fact that the sand will just be covered up by the snow. It is common for the employee who is performing the sanding to perform “skid tests” at several locations to determine which areas require sanding the most. Rain on clear and/or snow packed roads is a serious problem in the Homer area and can cause severe and dangerous driving conditions. During those conditions it is difficult to keep sand on the streets and we advise drivers to use extra caution .

Which Streets Are Cleared First? As previously stated, our number one goal is to maintain the main arterials for emergency response equipment. Priority 1 - Pioneer Ave., Main St. and Bartlett & Hohe Sts. (ambulance route to hospital) Priority 2 –All main arterial collectors, Priority 3—all other streets.  At times some flexibility is required to this plan due to the amount of snowfall or equipment break down. During snow removal operations we try to keep the graders and other snow removal equipment plowing rather than moving from one end of town to the other. Other reasons for flexibility are time of day and school bus schedules.

Driveways & Snow Berms - The City is not responsible for clearing snow berms from your driveway.  During normal snow plowing events and clean up operations after heavy snowfalls, we endeavor to minimize driveway snow berms by using "snow gates" on our equipment.

However, during significant snow fall events and at times when the snow is very wet and heavy, or when we experience equipment failure, we may not be able to use our "snow gates" on our equipment. This may cause a "snow berm" across your driveway. When we have completed clearing the streets and the snow event has subsided, we will commence our final clean up operations and endeavor to assist with removal of the "snow berm." While we realize that this may, at times, cause problems and inconvenience, PLEASE BE PATIENT. If you do have an emergency call the Homer Police Department Dispatch at 235-3150.

Who Clears States Routes? The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities clears approximately 20 miles of state roadways within the City of Homer. These roads include the Sterling Hwy., West Hill Rd., East Hill Rd., East End Road, Kachemak Bay Drive, Homer Spit Road, Ocean Drive and Lake Street between Pioneer Ave and the By-Pass. Call DOT/PF @ 235-5217 for further information concerning their roads maintenance.

How Can You Help? You can assist our employees and equipment operators in several ways.

• Always park your vehicle off of the street. This will save you a possible ticket and/or towing charge.
• Advise your children to never play near or in a snow berm near the roadway.
• Do not follow equipment too closely. Please be patient if you are required to wait behind a piece of snow removal equipment.
• Make certain that your speed is reasonable for conditions.
• Please Buckle Up For Safety, and

          Enjoy our Winter Wonderland

Public Works Department

During normal business hours we may be contacted at 235-3170.

After hours, & for emergencies the On-Call Supervisor may be contacted by calling the Homer Police Department Dispatch at 235-3150.

10/5/2006