Snow Removal Policies & FAQs

Yes. Public Works has Snow & Ice Control Policies & Procedures(PDF, 3MB) for snow and ice removal in Kansas City, Kansas.

The purpose of winter weather operations isn't to clean and clear streets. The goal is to restore traction to streets so motorists can be as safe as possible. Restoring traction to streets can be a tricky business, but there are generally four ways traction can be restored to streets during winter weather:

1. Restoring traction by plowing.
2. Restoring traction by using salt.
3. Restoring traction by using sand.
4. Restoring traction by combining plowing, salting, and sanding.

When temperatures fall below 15-degrees Fahrenheit, salt melts ice and snow more slowly. The colder it is outside, the longer it takes salt to do its work, which impacts winter weather operations. During some storms, traction can be restored by moving snow away from roads with plows, and other storms, traction can be restored by using only a salt treatment. In other cases, plowing a street may reduce traction - especially in neighborhoods.

When snow becomes tightly packed, ice forms underneath. In these instances, drivers may not plow because removing the top layer of snowpack would leave behind a solid sheet of ice that salt treatment cannot melt quickly or efficiently. Although it seems counterintuitive, a small amount of snowpack can increase traction and keep motorists safer than they may otherwise be.

Salt is one of the Snow Crew's many tools to return traction to streets. Unfortunately, it becomes less effective the colder it is outside.

As temperatures decline below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, salt treatment works more slowly. The following chart illustrates how much ice one pound of salt can melt, depending on the temperature:

(PNG, 1MB)

You may not see much melting when temperatures are extremely low, but that doesn't mean the salt isn't there. Remember to be patient and slow down if you're out.

For safety, routes are always handled in the same order.

1. Hot Routes

• Hot Routes are always first.
• Hot Routes are major streets like State and Parallel and streets that serve police stations, fire stations, hospitals, and schools.
• There are 34 Hot Routes in Kansas City, Kansas.
• Hot Routes have the highest volume of traffic.
  
  

2. Secondary Routes

• Secondary Routes are always second.
• Secondary Routes are streets that carry traffic from neighborhoods to Hot Routes.
• There are 34 Secondary Routes in Kansas City, Kansas.
  
  

3. Neighborhood Routes

• Neighborhood Routes are always third.
• Neighborhood Routes are all other local streets.
• There are 131 Neighborhood Routes in Kansas City, Kansas.
  
  

Although no snow event is the same, as a rule of thumb, it usually takes 10-12 hours after the snow stops falling to plow and treat Hot and Secondary Routes. Neighborhood Routes generally take 48 hours to plow or treat, assuming no interruptions to move back to Hot or Secondary Routes.

Although no snow event is the same, as a rule of thumb, it usually takes 10-12 hours after the snow stops falling to plow and treat Hot and Secondary Routes. Neighborhood Routes generally take 48 hours to plow or treat, assuming no interruptions to move back to Hot or Secondary Routes:

Hot & Secondary Routes

• Take 10-14 hours after the snow stops falling to plow and treat.
  
  

Neighborhood Routes

• Take approximately 48 hours to plow and treat.
• Sometimes, this will take longer if the Snow Crew needs to return to Hot or Secondary Routes.

Snow removal on state highways is provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The following streets in Kansas City, Kansas, are state highways maintained by KDOT:

• 18^th Street from Pacific Avenue south to the Johnson County line
• K-32 from 65^th Street west to the Edwardsville city limit
• K-5 from Hutton Road north to the Leavenworth County line
• K-7 from Bonner Springs city limit north to Leavenworth County

To report snow removal issues on state highways, contact KDOT by calling 5-1-1 anywhere in Kansas.

During most storms, bridges often become icy before surrounding streets. The Snow Crew is responsible for 49 bridges in Kansas City, Kansas. When it comes to bridges, keep the following in mind during a storm:

• When snow or ice is imminent but is not preceded by rain, bridges are pre-treated with salt to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the surface.
• If rain precedes a snowstorm, bridges are not pre-treated because it washes away salt.
• Even when pre-treated, bridges can become slick. Always slow down and pay close attention to your surroundings when crossing them.

Vehicles parked on the street disrupt and slow down snow removal and treatment. To ensure snow removal from streets is as quick and effective as possible, the most helpful thing residents can do is to get their cars off the street wherever possible.

Yes, Public Works has an interactive map that shows snow routes and provides additional information about storm intensities and operational procedures.

Kansas City, Kansas has 2,400 lane miles of streets, which is more than many neighboring cities:

• Overland Park - 1,900 lane miles
• Olathe - 1,100 lane miles
• Lenexa - 638 lane miles
• Topeka - 1,600 lane miles

(JPG, 16KB)
To minimize snow being plowed back onto clean driveways, residents should pile snow from their driveways on the right side facing the street, in lieu of placing it on both sides at the end of the driveways.

Safety matters. Help keep yourself and the Snow Crew safe by remembering:

• Stay back from plows by at least 6 car lengths.
  
  
• Do not pull directly behind slow plows. If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you.
  
  
• Plow trucks generally push snow to the passenger side of the truck (right side when looking from the rear). Never pass a truck on the right side since there can be much more snow on that side of the vehicle.
  
  
• Do not push snow into the street when cleaning driveways or parking lots. This can cause hazardous conditions for other motorists.
  
  
• Avoid building snow structures such as forts or igloos near the street that plows may cover over, resulting in possible injury to children playing nearby.

Treating and plowing KCK's 2,400 lane miles is difficult and time-consuming work. Help the Snow Crew work as quickly and efficiently as possible by keeping these helpful tips in mind this season:

On-Street Parking

• Don’t park in the street whenever possible. It is dangerous and difficult to plow streets congested with parked vehicles. Some streets may not be plowed if plows cannot safely maneuver them.
  
  
• The most helpful thing residents can do to facilitate snow removal is to get their cars off the street and encourage others to do the same. Residents with no other option other than on-street parking should park as close to the curb as possible.
  
  

Driveway Clearing

• One of the most frequent concerns in the removal of snow from public streets is snow being pushed back into driveways during plowing operations. As plows travel along streets, the snow accumulated on the plow blade has no place to go but on the adjacent streets and in driveways. The more snow that has fallen, the greater the problem will be.
  
  
• Residents can reduce the likelihood of snow blocking their driveway by shoveling snow to the right while facing the street. Doing this will help snowplow drivers avoid carrying piles from the “upstream” side back across driveways.
  
  
• In addition, shoving or blowing snow/ice into streets may cause hazardous conditions to other drivers. Residents and property owners are encouraged to follow the directions above in both commercial and residential areas.
  
  

Be Safe & Aware

Trucks are plowing snow and spreading salt/sand. Stay back from the vehicle 100 feet to avoid problems:

• Plow trucks often have to back up. There are blind spots in the mirrors. For your safety, do not pull directly behind them, as they may not be able to see you.
  
  
• Do not put snow in the street when cleaning driveways or parking lots. This can cause hazardous conditions for other motorists.
  
  
• Plow trucks generally push snow to the passenger side (right side when looking at it from the rear). Never attempt to pass a truck on the right side since there can be much more snow on that side of the vehicle.
  
  

Clear Sidewalks

• Snowplows will try to avoid placing snow on sidewalks, but in some instances, this is impossible.
  
  
• The adjacent property owner is responsible for keeping sidewalks clear.
  
  

Secure Mailboxes

• Residents are responsible for the condition and stability of their mailboxes.
  
  
• Please make sure mailboxes are correctly installed and are maintained to be stable.
  
  
• Even at low speeds, snow being pushed to the side by snowplows can knock over mailboxes that are not stable.
  
  

Property Damage Claims

• Snowplowing and ice control operations can result in property damage, particularly during blizzard conditions or during night-time snow plowing. Incidents involving contact between City equipment and private property typically occur within the public street right- of-way, which commonly extends beyond the adjoining sidewalk. The intent of the right-of- way is to provide for snow storage, utilities, sidewalks, and other City needs.
  
  
• Property owners are permitted to place some improvements, such as mailboxes and sprinklers, within the right-of-way. In the event of damage to private property during snow removal efforts, the property owner should file a claim with the Clerk’s Office by calling (913) 573-5260. The damage will then be investigated to determine if it is the responsibility of the City. The City accepts responsibility for mailboxes if the damage is caused by impact with a plow or other piece of equipment. Mailboxes should be constructed solidly enough to withstand the force of snow rolling off a plow. Lawns that are physically damaged by City plows or motor graders will also be repaired. However, sprinklers placed in the right-of-way that are damaged will not be repaired by the Unified Government.
  
  

Report Local Service Issues

• To report a snow or ice removal issue, dial 3-1-1 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org.
  
  

Report State Service Issues

• To report service issues on state highways, dial 5-1-1 from anywhere in Kansas.
  
  

Share this Info!

• Sharing is caring! Download a PDF version of this FAQ(PDF, 205KB) and share it with your friends and neighbors.

Please make sure mailboxes are properly installed and maintained to ensure stability. Even at low speeds, snow being pushed to the side by plows can push over mailboxes that are not properly installed or maintained.

In the event of damage to private property during snow removal efforts, the property owner shall file a claim with the City’s Legal Department: Call (913) 573-5060.

The claim will then be investigated to determine if any damage is the City's responsibility.

Call (913) 573-5311 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org to report a service issue.