Snow Removal

When snow or ice is in the forecast, snow crews begin pre-treatment on all City-owned streets and roads in priority order. However, if rain is in the forecast prior to the snow or ice, the timing of any pre-treatment may be impacted since rainfall could wash away the pre-treatment.

When winter weather arrives, the Blue Springs Public Works Department executes an emergency winter storm plan to remove snow and ice accumulation from roadways in order for you to travel safely throughout the city. Initially, eight primary trucks with spreaders and plows begin clearing snow and ice from first, second and third priority streets as identified on the snow removal map.

When snowfall accumulation exceeds two inches, seven additional residential trucks with plows are called in to join the primary trucks in keeping the main roads cleared. As the weather event tapers off, the residential trucks break off and begin plowing one pass in each direction on residential roadways. The crews work around the clock until all roadways have received service.

If snowfall accumulation exceeds four inches, crews will continue plowing all roadways curb to curb. Crews will continue to work around the clock until all roadways have been cleared. During this phase, we ask for residents to remove vehicles from all streets in an effort to assist our crews in doing the best job possible.

For more information or if you have any questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions below, or to find out what phase of operations the crew is currently in, please call the Snow Removal Hotline at 816-228-0295. The snow removal route maps are available for viewing if you would like to see how the streets are prioritized in your area. For specific questions, please call 816-228-0195.

Blue Springs employs many of the best operators in the Midwest. The personnel who work within the Street Department are the first responders for snow emergencies. They are backed up by skilled personnel from the Utilities, Engineering and Park Maintenance Departments who operate residential plows if more than two inches of snow accumulate on the roads.

All winter storms are different and can be difficult to predict. The department consults and reviews weather reports from several different sources: NOAA, the local forecasters, Weather or Not and other internet sites. Using the information available for each storm, a response plan is developed.

Crews will occasionally pre-treat roads depending upon the storm predictions. Salt distribution typically begins as soon as the crews hit the streets and continues until all priority roads are completed or until it is no longer effective to salt. Traffic enhances the efficacy of the salt, so roads with more traffic clear more quickly than low volume roads. As a result some streets with lesser amounts of traffic may appear to have not been salted. When plowing begins, salting is limited to grades, intersections and sharp curves until plowing is complete. After plowing is completed, salting operations begin again as needed. All roads are monitored for icy spots.

The priority streets are cleared by ranking. If the snow accumulation has exceeded two inches, crews begin work on the residential streets. If the snow fall continues for many hours, the main roads may need a reapplication of deicing chemicals. This extends the amount of time it takes to reach the residential streets. Cul-de-sacs will be plowed at the same time as other residential streets. Due to the circular design of these streets, plows are angled to the left to avoid leaving snow in driveways.

Crews plow from curb to curb to clean the city streets anytime the snow depth is four inches or deeper, or if the forecast warrants clearing to the curb due to impending subsequent storms. Curb to curb plowing may take several return trips to your neighborhood depending upon the magnitude of the snow event and because of obstructions along the curb. If cars are parked on the street, our crews will try to remove as much snow as possible.

Keep in mind that it is almost impossible to keep snow from being deposited into your driveway during plowing, as the plow cannot be lifted or swiveled at each driveway it passes. Our crews work to keep the roads safe in the most efficient manner for each storm event.

The City of Blue Springs snow plow operators work diligently around the clock to keep motorists safe. No matter how careful operators are, snow and ice control operations may cause inconveniences to you.

Snow removal is a dangerous, stressful and time-consuming job. Our crews work around the clock in extreme conditions to keep motorists safe and to ensure that police, fire and EMS personnel can get to those who need assistance.

Please move vehicles off the street whenever possible. Parked cars pose an obstruction to snow removal operations during the storm and then leave snow packed areas after they are moved.

Children love to make snow forts along the edge of the roads, but this is potentially very dangerous because our plow operators cannot see the children. Visibility is difficult even in the best conditions, so we ask that you please keep your children safe and away from the roads during snow removal!

The City of Blue Springs Public Works Department plows 256 miles of streets within the city. The streets are segregated by traffic volume first. The most heavily traveled roads are assigned as First priority streets. These roads are the main thoroughfares through the city and the major roads in and out of subdivisions. The next classification is Second priority roads.

These are the connecting roads within subdivisions. The remaining streets are segregated by the grade of the street, or the steepness of the hills on those streets. If the street has a hill that is 6% or greater than the street is assigned to the Third priority list. All other streets fall in the residential classification. These streets are predominantly flat and easily negotiated during light snow storms. The First, Second and Third priority streets receive deicing treatment for virtually every storm. The residential streets are plowed when snow accumulates on the road exceeds two inches. In the case of a severe ice event every street in the system receives deicing treatment in order of their priority ranking.

During normal snow plowing operations, some snow may be left in your driveway. Plows are angled to the right for plowing from the center line of the street to the curb. For this reason, a certain amount of snow will be deposited in driveways. Snow left in driveways or on sidewalks by the city while snow plowing is the residents and owners' responsibility to remove.

When plowing, the snow may end up on the driveway you just shoveled. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes you. If your schedule permits, you may want to wait and clear your driveway after city plows have passed through your street. If it is a significant snowfall, the snowplows will probably be back.

Streets are typically opened with one pass through, so that streets can be made passable for drivers as soon as practical. Snowplows may return to open the street curb-to-curb. This is done to clear areas for on-street parking, where it is permitted, and to allow melting snow to drain into catch basins. We regret that you may find some of this snow on your recently shoveled driveway and you have to shovel it again.

Snow Removal Tip

If your driveway is cleared before the street is completed, clear the area to the right of the driveway if you are facing the house, (the oncoming side). When the plow comes by the snow will dump in this clear area instead of your driveway approach. The more snow you clear from this area, the less will be deposited at your driveway entrance.

Snow may not be pushed or blown into the street from private property. The large piles left behind can create hazards for motorists. Please keep this in mind when clearing your driveway. If you hire a private service to clear your driveway or parking lot, let the contractor know.

If your mailbox gets struck by a city snow plow during operations, please contact the Blue Springs Public Works Department at 816-228-0195 on normal business days between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. A Public Works staff person will review the incident with you and determine the responsibility of replacement. If the damage is caused by the city, the box will be replaced with a standard unit.

The city uses a 4 inch by 4 inch wood post and a standard design metal mailbox for replacements. If the property owner would like a different mailbox or post other than the standard design provided, the owner may receive up to $25 compensation for post replacement and up to $25 for mailbox replacement. Sorry, but the city will not repair or replace decorative mailboxes and decorative posts. Non-standard mailboxes and enclosures placed in the public right of way are at the owner’s risk and responsibility.

Remember not to landscape with rocks, bricks, timbers, shrubs, and other items in the right of way, particularly the within 2 to 4 feet of the curb. Snowplows could cause damage, and we do not repair or replace landscape materials. Some residents have irrigation in the right of way. This is done at the owner’s risk and responsibility. Keep any irrigation heads away from the edges of the roadway.

If a city snowplow causes lawn damage, please contact the Blue Springs Public Works Department at 816-228-0195 on normal business days between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. You will be placed on a list for spring cleanup once all the snow is melted. Sod and grass damage is restored by city crews with topsoil and grass seed.

Snowplows are emergency vehicles but typically do not exceed the posted speed limit. Snowplows are big, noisy pieces of equipment. It may appear at times that the snowplow operator is driving too fast for road conditions.

Many times, the engine sound and noise of the plow scraping the pavement give the perception that the truck is flying down the street, when in actuality, they are only moving at 15 to 20 miles per hour. The plows do move faster on open stretches of road to push the snow farther off of the road to ensure there is sufficient space to stack the snow from the next storm.

The Public Works Department works closely with the Blue Springs Police Department and Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. Anytime they have an emergency that requires snow removal assistance, one of the crews is pulled from their regular route to respond as quickly as possible.

The City of Blue Springs Public Works Department thanks you for your patience and understanding during the winter season.