What Is Our Goal? Our main goal is to provide an expedient and efficient snow removal operation. There are actually two steps implemented to accomplish this. (1) During snowfalls, snow fighters concentrate on keeping our main arterials passable for emergency and high volume traffic flows, and (2) after the snowfall subsides the crews concentrate efforts on clearing snow from all streets for public use as promptly as possible. So yes, neighborhood and residential streets will be cleared last, but all streets are generally cleared within 18 hours.

Who Begins A Snow Removal Operation? During normal business hours, 8:00 a.m.~ 4:30 p.m., Monday ~ Friday, the Public Works Chair or his/her designee, decides when conditions warrant the commencement of snow removal operations. After hours, the Public Works Chair, Police Chief, Mayor, or designee makes the determination when conditions including, snow, sleet or freezing rain produce hazardous driving conditions. The Public Works Department provides for twenty-four hours of coverage if needed.

Who Clears the Sidewalks & Bike Pathways? The City of Princeton clears the snow from the sidewalks located on River Drive in front of Civic Center, and all city buildings.

When Are Streets Plowed? Snow removal operations generally begin when snowfall accumulations have exceeded more than two inches. If the snowfall continues, clean up may be delayed until after the snowfall event has subsided. In all cases, clean up procedures will commence before four inches of snow accumulation. During significant snow storm events our crews are called in to begin operations between 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. and remain on duty until the event has subsided or becomes manageable. 

When Are Streets Sanded? Top priorities for sanding are the main arteries, intersections, school bus routes and steep roads (particularly East/West streets). Sanding generally occurs at 6:00 a.m. prior to the school busses leaving for their respective routes. If a significant snowfall has or is occurring, this may be delayed due to the fact that the sand will just be covered up by the snow. It is common for the employee who is performing the sanding to perform “skid tests” at several locations to determine which areas require sanding the most. Rain on clear and/or snow packed roads is a serious problem in the Princeton area and can cause severe and dangerous driving conditions. During those conditions it is difficult to keep sand on the streets and we advise drivers to use extra caution.

Which Streets Are Cleared First? As previously stated, our number one goal is to maintain the main arterials for emergency response equipment. Priority 1 –Emergency vehicle access and bus routes) Priority 2 –All main arterial collectors and business districts, Priority 3—all other streets.  At times some flexibility is required to this plan due to the amount of snowfall or equipment break down. During snow removal operations we try to keep the graders and other snow removal equipment plowing rather than moving from one end of town to the other. Other reasons for flexibility are time of day and school bus schedules.

Driveways & Snow Berms - The City is not responsible for clearing snow berms from your driveway.  During normal snow plowing events and clean up operations after heavy snowfalls, we endeavor to minimize driveway snow berms but in heavy snow it sometimes cannot be avoided. We will commence our final clean up operations and endeavor to assist with removal of the "snow berm." While we realize that this may, at times, cause problems and inconvenience, PLEASE BE PATIENT. If you do have an emergency call the Princeton Police Department or Scott County Sheriff’s Dept.

Who Clears States Routes? The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities clears state roadways within the City of Princeton. These roads include the Hwy. 67,

How Can You Help? You can assist our employees and equipment operators in several ways.

• Always park your vehicle off of the street. This will save you a possible ticket and/or towing charge.
• Advise your children to never play near or in a snow berm near the roadway.
• Do not follow equipment too closely. Please be patient if you are required to wait behind a piece of snow removal equipment.
• Make certain that your speed is reasonable for conditions.
• Please Buckle Up For Safety, and