For a printable version, click here.

Lancaster Department of Transportation

Winter Operations Policy

LDOT maintains 400 lane miles (approx... 210 center line miles) of roadways.  All roadways in the City of Lancaster are divided into four “Demand Service Levels” (DSL’s).  

The four DSL priorities are:

1)    all major State and other arterial roads

2)    all collector roads

3)    all residential developments and cul-de-sac roads

4)    all other low volume roads  

Pre-treating and De-icing Roadways

LDOT may use salt brine to pretreat roadways before a forecasted snow event.  Salt brine prevents ice buildup and helps de-ice the roadways.  The order in which salt or salt brine is applied to the roadway is prioritized as outlined in the DSL.  The primary goal of snow and ice control operations is to ensure that emergency response vehicles have safe and efficient access to the roads.  This priority rating ensures that, at any given time, emergency response vehicles have access to all roads or residences.

Plowing

LDOT will use salt brine and/or salt as long as it is effective. If snow removal is necessary, snowplow trucks will follow the order outlined in the DSL. Snow plowing may wait until there is an accumulation of 3-4 inches, depending upon weather conditions.  LDOT will plow during heavy snow of 6 inches or more to open the roadways in the best manner possible.  As the snowstorm tapers off, clearing the snow from curb to curb, “roll back”, can begin. During a roll back operation, all 400 lane miles are cleared. Roadways that are rated at level 3 or 4 on the DSL should be serviced with at least one plow pass within 24-36 hours after snow stops. Often, crews must maintain 24-hour service to keep roadways open because of drifting snow.  If keeping drifting roads open becomes to difficult or dangerous, LDOT will close the road until conditions improve. LDOT monitors the weather conditions constantly and works with the Lancaster Police Department to determine when it is necessary to begin snow removal operations. Please be assured that if you do not see a snowplow pass, you have not been forgotten, just be patient.  It takes time for LDOT crews to clear the roadways in such adverse conditions.

Mailboxes and Other Fixed Objects

LDOT is responsible for making sure vehicles have safe and efficient access to the roads. Occasionally, snowplows can strike a standing mailbox.  Mailboxes that are properly maintained usually are not affected.  It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain mailboxes to withstand wind, snow, and snow plowing operations.  If a property owner can demonstrate that a mailbox was installed properly and was struck by a City of Lancaster vehicle, it is LDOT policy to provide a replacement standard mailbox and/or a 4x4 lumber mailbox post.  Installation of the mailbox and/or post is the responsibility of the property owner and must be done according to the codes of the City of Lancaster.  LDOT will not replace mailboxes damaged because of rotten posts or negligence.  Mailbox setback is 12” from face of curb or edge of pavement to face of mailbox.  

The City of Lancaster is not responsible for property damage to basketball poles and/or nets placed in the City of Lancaster’s right-of-way or extending over the roadway.  However, the property owner is responsible for any damage to the City of Lancaster’s vehicles as a result of these objects. These objects are not only unsafe, but illegal.  Children should not play in the streets.  We are asking for your help during winter snow and ice operations by removing such objects from the City of Lancaster’s right-of-way.

Driveways

LDOT is responsible for making sure vehicles have safe and efficient access to the roads. Occasionally, snow plowing may leave snow at the end of driveways. This is not intentional.  A snowplow pushes the snow and is not capable of picking up snow and moving it to another place.  If you find it necessary to clear your driveway, please push and or shovel the snow and ice to the LEFT side of your driveway (looking at your house from the street).  This will minimize the amount of snow and ice that gets pushed back into your driveway from the snowplows.  Snow being thrown into the street by residents clearing their driveways is dangerous and is known to cause accidents.  Remember: It is illegal to throw snow onto the roadway.  It is best to wait until plowing operations are complete before clearing your driveway.

Phone Calls

LDOT employees are working hard to make sure you have safe and efficient access to the roads. If you have an emergency, you may call the office.  If your concern is not an emergency, please consider waiting until the snow event has ended. Minor issues may cause an employee to be answering the phones instead of focusing on snow removal operations.

Parking

If you live on a narrow or one-way street, please remember to park close to the curb to allow for the widest distance possible for snow removal equipment to pass through without any obstructions.  

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we manage adverse weather conditions.

• Brine, a solution of salt and water, is used to prevent snow and ice from bonding to road surfaces and other outdoor areas. Brine's lower freezing point than water means roads must be colder for ice to form, and it also prevents snow from compacting into ice under vehicle traffic. Brine can be applied before it snows, a process called anti-icing, to make it easier to shovel or plow snow.

• Road salt, or sodium chloride, works by lowering the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt even when the temperature is below water's normal freezing point  of 32 degrees.  When salt is applied, it dissolves into separate sodium and chloride ions that disrupt the bonds between water molecules.