Home of Logan City Public Works

Snow Removal

Winter is here! We all enjoy residing in beautiful Cache Valley, and snow is simply a reality of living here. The goal of the Street Department is to quickly and efficiently provide safe and clear roadways as soon as possible after a snow storm. This page provides valuable information about our snow removal program.

Priorities

All the city streets have been categorized according to priority. Priority is based upon the volume of traffic and the number of homes and businesses serviced by that road. The highest priority is given to arterial roads, which include routes to schools, hospitals, medical facilities, USU campus, downtown areas, hills, and main roads going to residential areas.Collector roads are the next priority and are mainly residential, and local roads, including cul-de-sacs and parking lots, are the next priority. Please keep in mind that the duration and intensity of a storm are big factors. During major storms only the highest priority roads will be maintained until the storm subsides and crews are able to move onto secondary roads. A complete list of priorities is available here.

Roads that we do not maintain

We do not plow private roads that are owned by the State of Utah. To find out if your road is private, click here. State owned roads maintained by UDOT include: 200 North west of Main Street, 400 North east of Main Street, Main Street, 1000 West, and 2500 North. To contact UDOT call 752-5377 or 757-4347. To contact the Cache County Road Department call 716-8340 or 755-1560. You can also call Dispatch for any road emergency at 753-7555.

Cul-de-sacs

There are 210 cul-de-sacs in Logan and more are added every year. Please understand that the low amount of traffic in cul-de-sacs means that they are lower priority. Depending on the intensity and duration of the storm, we start on cul-de-sacs once the arterial roads are cleared and we've moved onto collector roads. Cul-de-sacs have limited space so they are plowed with our smaller equipment, such as backhoes and pickup trucks. Limited space also means that if there are cars parked on the street, the cul-de-sac might not be plowed because our equipment cannot maneuver around the cars. Also, there is limited space to pile snow, so it will end up everyone's park strip. Some will get more than others.

Our crews, equipment, and materials

The Street Division has 19 full-time employees, 11 plows with sanders, 3 pickup trucks, 2 backhoes, a motor grader, a loader, a Vac truck, and a heavy equipment snow blower dedicated to snow removal. The plows spread a mixture of red and white salt from the rear of the truck. We no longer use sand in this mixture due to EPA mandated storm water regulations. We also apply a liquid called magnesium chloride ("mag") to heavily traveled roads and hills before a storm is expected. The mag prevents snow from accumulating on the road's surface. If you see our crew spraying what looks like water on the road, it's mag. Drive carefully because it can be slippery at first.

Be aware of our equipment

A loaded snow plow weighs as much as 10 small cars. They need more room to stop, especially during storms. Even if you have the right of way, the plow might not be able to stop if you pull out in front of them. Please wait a few more seconds and let the plow go by first before pulling out (you'll have a nice plowed surface to drive on, too). The plows spread salt out the back, so be sure to allow at least 50 feet between you and the plow so that your vehicle is not damaged by flying material, nor does it impede the application of the salt. Also, do not follow a plow uphill because they can slide back down the hill. Wait until you see it reach the top, then proceed. Do not allow children to play near the street while plows are out. Do not build snow forts near the street because a snow plow can cause the fort to collapse.

Vehicles and garbage cans in the road

Cars and garbage cans are the #1 obstacle for snow plow operators. It is against Logan City ordinance 10.52.170 to park a vehicle on any street or city owned parking lot between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to February 28. This ordinance also states that no vehicles or trailers shall be parked on the street for more than 21 hours at a time, unless permitted. Please note that it is the local resident’s responsibility to inform out of town guests about parking regulations. If you require an alternative to parking, contact the Parking Authority at 750-0255. Also, please do not put your garbage and recycling cans out until the morning of your collection day, and remove them from the street that evening. Keeping the road clear of vehicles and garbage cans will help our operators clear the entire roadway, which is crucial in preventing snow and ice buildup.

Permits

We will not be responsible for snow pushed around cars left on the street, even if the owner has a permit to park on the street. We will not return to clean around cars, so permit owners are responsible for digging out cars after the plow has gone by.

Sidewalks

As a courtesy to your neighbors and others, please keep the sidewalk in front of your home or business free of snow and ice. Logan City ordinance 12.08.080 requires residents and business owners to maintain and clear the sidewalk in front of their property.

Do not throw snow back into the road

It is against Logan City ordinance 12.04.270 to throw or push snow into the street with a snowblower, 4wheeler, shovel, or any other means. This creates dangerous bumps in the road that can turn into ice, causing accidents and property damage for citizens and snow plow operators. It is also against the law to throw things at snow plows.

Note to contractors

Contractors pushing parking lots for apartment buildings, schools, churches, businesses, etc., need to be aware that the snow from that area must stay on that property. Do not push the snow out into the road or onto someone else’s property. Contractors must have a business license.

Resources

You can call us at 716-9642 or come to our office at 950 West 600 North. You can also call System Operations Control Center (SOCC) at 716-9090 24 hours a day.

The bottom line

The bottom line is that we do the best job we can to provide clear and safe driving conditions for citizens. Every storm is different, but out goal for each one is to provide timely and effective service. With your cooperation, we can make this winter's snow removal a success.

Announcements

Snow Removal