December 21, 2022
City of Lawrence crews are pretreating bridges and elevated surfaces across town in advance of the anticipated winter weather tonight. During a winter weather event, priority roadways are treated first before crews move into residential areas. The City will only begin snow and ice control for residential area roadways after the accumulation of two or more inches of snowfall or when icing occurs.
The 2022 Snow and Ice Control Plan does not intend that City crews remove all snow and ice accumulations from all City streets. When conditions are favorable, we will de-ice streets to the bare pavement but this will not be feasible during most winter weather events. We recommend staying home unless travel is essential. Additionally, we ask that vehicles be moved off roads/streets where possible to aid in our crew’s snow response.
As city crews prepare for this winter weather, we want to remind everyone to be safe. Stay off the roads if you can and allow for more time to get to your destination when you have to go out.
If you would like more information on snow and ice control operations, including roadway prioritization maps, traffic cameras, and more, visit lawrenceks.org/snow. Below is some additional information on winter weather operations for residents and businesses to keep in mind throughout the winter.
Snow and ice removal on sidewalks
To make public sidewalks safe for all pedestrians, the owner of the property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for removing any snow or ice that accumulates on the sidewalk. Removal must be done within 48 hours after the ice forms or the snowfall ends. If removing ice is impossible, the property owner is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 48 hours.
Community members who are physically unable to keep their sidewalks clear during snow events should visit our website for more information on the Safe Winter Walkways Program.
Solid Waste services during snow and ice removal operations
City crews will operate normal residential and commercial trash services as conditions allow. If conditions become too hazardous to crews and equipment, operations will be suspended until the following day. In commercial areas and parking lots, owners need to remember not to block enclosures when having the lots plowed, or crews will not be able to empty containers.
Contact: Porter Arneill, Director of Communications & Creative Resources, parneill@lawrenceks.org.