INDIANAPOLIS — As a chance of winter weather enters the forecast, Indy Snow Force crews get the call to begin pre-treating roadways. And when snow or ice accumulates on city streets, crews are likely already on roadways to clear the way. Workers drive snow removal trucks equipped with salt spreaders and plows. Salt (or rather a specialized de-icer material) lowers the freezing point of moisture on the roadways, making it more difficult for snow and ice to accumulate.
The crews first clear major city thoroughfares and streets abutting hospitals and fire stations (priority one), used by emergency services and the largest volume of Indy commuters. Examples of major city streets include Keystone Avenue, Washington Street, and Fall Creek Parkway. Indy DPW starts plowing these streets when there is measurable snowfall.
Next, crews clear secondary streets and streets abutting schools, publicly-funded preschools, trustee offices, and township small claims courts (priority two). These roads connect major city streets to residential streets and other less-traveled roadways. Examples of secondary streets include Southeastern Avenue, Mitthoeffer Road, and Ditch Road. This set network of Connector streets was selected to link neighborhoods and residential areas to the secondary streets and thoroughfares already plowed by DPW Snow Force on standard routes. Indy DPW starts plowing these streets when there is two inches of accumulation and may deploy contractors when at four inches or more of accumulation.
Residential streets may see contractors if there is more than 4 inches of snow. Residents are responsible for removing snow from walkways and sidewalks in front of their homes.