Snow and Ice Reminder From Ellwood City Borough Public Works

With the weather conditions rapidly changing, I would like to remind residents to remove any items hanging over the roads, (Basketball hoops, ETC.) Park in driveways where possible so we can clear your streets. Our plows are 10’ wide, if your roads are narrow and you have no driveway, please stagger your parking so we can weave in and out of cars parked on both sides.

Residents are reminded, our job is to remove the snow from the street and keep our drains cleared, because of the freeze and thaw cycle the road gets narrower and narrower, PLEASE DON’T SHOVEL SNOW ON THE STREETS, and always shovel snow to the left of your driveways (looking at your house) this will limit the amount of snow windrowed across your driveway from the plow trucks.

Review your driving habits as it takes 4 times the distance to stop in snow as on dry roads. SLOW DOWN it’s better to arrive late than not at all.

Residents should keep fire hydrants clear of snow in case an emergency arises (time is of the essence).

The street dept. has 10 employee’s plowing snow that means three men on afternoon turn, three men on night turn, three on daylight and one Mechanic on daylight. It takes three men about three hours to plow every road in town one time.

I would like to ask the public to be patient with the street dept. Our children and families are out there driving on roads we maintain also. We will do everything possible to keep your family and ours safe.

1lb. of salt melts 46lbs. of snow at 32 degrees

1lb. of salt melts 3 lb. of snow at 0 degree

Our first priority is to clear the hills then the main roads in and out of town/ secondary streets/ then alleys and borough Owned sidewalks and parking lots

16hrs. after it quits snowing we like to have all roads cleared.

24 hrs. after a snow we like to have everything pushed back to the curbs and catch basins cleared off for our daily thaws, so the water has someplace to go.

Thank you!

Randy Gatto Ellwood City Public Works Director