The Local Lens – Where’s My Plow

This is a question we were all asking yesterday when we woke up to the blizzard outside. There’s an app (actually a website) for that! I asked Washoe County’s Aaron Smith this question a few weeks ago so I could be ready to share this timely information. 

Here’s what I learned:

Washoe County provides a real-time snow equipment tracking and roadside parking status on the Where is My Plow: I.V.C.B. Website. The tool provides real-time snow equipment operations and history for the Tahoe area. Residents can use the feature to track the location and activity of snow removal equipment in their area.

The Incline Village/Crystal Bay Roads crew includes seven full-time personnel and is supplemented with 4-6 additional staff members to service 11 routes during winter operations. Nearly all of the crew commute from Reno, Sparks, or Carson City, where travel over the passes during winter road conditions can be extremely challenging. During severe weather patterns, temporary lodging is provided. The safety of the traveling public and the ability of law enforcement and first responders to respond to community needs are our priorities. 

More information is available on the Roads and Stormwater Website. Residents can report snow plowing concerns, potholes, and other road-related issues through Washoe311, which serves as a direct line to County services, or by calling the Roads and Stormwater line at 775-328-2180

THESE GUYS ARE MY HEROES!

But what about the guys who clear our driveways and commercial parking lots? They deserve recognition too. They often try to reach our driveways even before the plows are out! I am talking about service workers who either run their own businesses or work for larger companies. These guys don’t have work if it doesn’t snow. Please, give them a tip this week. Maybe they are just happy to be working, but perhaps they have bills that have gone unpaid during our drought the last month and a half. I can’t name them all, but I can tell you which businesses I know because they are members of IVCBA. Incline Property Management…thank them for clearing the parking lots at 3 of the shopping centers. Canopy Property Services covers many HOAs too. SQ Enterprises operates Tahoe Snow Solutions; find them on social media. These companies are providing winter jobs to help keep our workers living here year-round. Thank you!

WHAT ABOUT THE SIDEWALKS?!

Let me just say, if it takes a while to get them cleared, no whining please! We live in the mountains. Snow and ice happen. Even when they are cleared, there can still be ice in the shady parts. If you must venture onto them, use common sense, sensible boots, and maybe those things you clip on them to dig into the ice. Stay safe! This is a small town, and not everyone has the luxury of staying home in bad weather. If you see someone walking on the street because they have to, perhaps offer them a ride.

Here’s the actual answer on sidewalk clearing from Washoe County:

Washoe County Road Crews understand the challenge snow poses to pedestrians in our mountain communities. There are approximately 10 miles of paved paths in Incline Village, and Washoe County Roads crews clear snow on approximately 8.2 miles of them. The paths are cleared of snow after the roadways are cleared and widened with a snow blower. The roads are prioritized 1 thru 3, and paths are considered a priority 4. The road and path priorities can be found on our Washoe Regional Mapping System. Sections of pathways are cleared based on priorities as well, with priority given to those adjacent to schools and the main routes.

The time it takes WC Roads to clear paths varies considerably depending on the amount and type of snow and the frequency of storm events. For example, if Incline receives 6-12” of snow during an event and does not receive additional snow in the next few days, WC Roads will typically start clearing snow on the paths approximately three days after the end of the storm. The more snow received, and/or multiple storms come in back-to-back, it can take considerably longer to start on the paths. When storms are frequent and there is little time between them, the Roads crew prioritizes snow removal on streets, and snow accumulation is greater on paths. Unfortunately, this results in greater effort and more time to remove snow from the paths. Residents can help by avoiding parking vehicles on or near pathways to allow crews better access for snow removal. Clearing private driveways or sidewalks onto pathways may delay snow-clearing efforts and is discouraged

LIKE WHAT YOU READ?

IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!  If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help! JOIN HERE