More than 6 inches of snow fell overnight in Estes; residents are asked to be mindful to not park on streets and property owners need to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours

Estes Park received more than 6 inches of snow overnight and the town’s snowplows are at the ready to plow the town’s 225 residential streets which include 59 miles of streets, 12.5 miles of sidewalks, 12 miles of trails, and 15 parking lots.

According to a public service announcement by the Town of Estes Park, a snow removal team—staff from Public Works and other Town departments—are working on nine roadway routes and parking lots which are assigned to nine plow drivers.

In addition there are five routes for sidewalks and trails, and there is a back-up drivers trained to plow when needed.

To get the job done, the Town asks for the public’s understanding and cooperation.

Emergency routes. Access to hospitals and schools are the snow removal team’s first priority. Emergency routes include MacGregor Avenue, Big Horn Drive, Riverside Drive, Peak View Drive, Scott Avenue, and any other streets that must remain accessible for police or fire emergencies. When conditions warrant it necessary, emergency routes are cleared outside of roadway plowing hours.

Roadway plowing hours. While the timing and magnitude of a snow event determines the service hours, roadway plowing typically begins between 3 and 5 a.m. Drivers strive to make a complete pass along each route in five hours, although this takes longer during dangerously slick conditions and when we are short-staffed. Plows generally stop running by 3:30 p.m. This stop time allows drivers to go home and rest before returning to their routes.

Trail plowing hours. Town-maintained trails and sidewalks are typically plowed between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

State-managed highways. U.S. 34 (includes Elkhorn Avenue), U.S. 36 (includes Moraine Avenue) and CO 7 are plowed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (orange trucks). County roads and US 66 are plowed by the Larimer County Road and Bridge Department (yellow trucks).

Parking is prohibited on Town streets. This excludes spaces designated by signs or painted markings. Most neighborhood streets are too narrow to accommodate parking and two traffic lanes. Therefore, enforcement is elevated when plows begin clearing snow, and vehicles parked along narrow streets outside of marked parking spaces may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Private driveways and sidewalks. Plows must push snow to the roadway edge, which often causes a ridge of snow to be deposited in private driveways or on sidewalks. Because the Town’s snow removal team cannot remain productive when stopping to clear every private driveway and sidewalk, this task must remain the responsibility of property owners.

The Town understands that this can be frustrating. Know that your teamwork in clearing the snow piles from your walks and driveways is greatly appreciated. Residents who are unable to clear their own driveways are encouraged to contact local private contractors who provide this service.

Residential and business sidewalks. Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses within 24 hours after the snowfall stops. This includes new sidewalks recently constructed during the Downtown Estes Loop project.

By law, snow removed from any sidewalk or driveway may not be deposited into the roadway. Doing so can create dangerous conditions for motorists and negates the clearing work done by plow drivers.

Read full story here:

https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/27/publics-understanding-cooperation-needed-for-town-snow-removal/