The City of Bismarck Roads and Streets Department is preparing for the snow and blizzard conditions. Crews will work around the clock on emergency routes to keep them open. If conditions warrant pulling crews off routes, they will be parked at the Fire Stations in case of an emergency. City crews will work with emergency managers as a resource in emergency situations. Once the storm has passed and winds subside, crews will begin snow removal on school routes and major arterial streets. Once those streets are cleared, plows will move into residential areas, It is very important that you move vehicles off streets prior to the storm to aid in snow removal operations. Keep them off the street until the plows have cleaned your street.
Contractors, businesses and residents are reminded that they shall not push snow into the street or across the street onto the boulevard when clearing parking lots and/or driveways. According to City Ordinance a person may not move, dump or deposit by any means any snow or ice accumulated on private property onto any public street, alley, or public right-of-way. The fine for this violation is up to $1,000.
Snow Gates are used to make driveways passable (8 foot width driveways) and should reduce the amount of snow deposited by snow plows into driveways. The snow will now be deposited at the side of the driveway. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that sightlines do not cause safety risks.
Mailbox Clearance: It is the property owner’s responsibility to clear snow around their mailbox. If it is a cluster box, it is the responsibility of those residents to clear the snow from around the cluster box.
Adopt a Hydrant: We ask for everyone’s help to clear snow from around the hydrants by “adopting” a hydrant in your neighborhood. This helps reduce the time it takes for the fire department to get water on a fire by ensuring that we can find and access the fire hydrant when we need it most. By helping us you could save your neighbor’s house or your own in an emergency. The snow should be cleared 6 inches below all the caps and 3 to 4 feet around the hydrant. This gives firefighters the space they need to attach hoses and turn on water in case of a fire in your neighborhood. If you are a business owner, please take the time to ensure the hydrants in your area are kept clear also.
Dumpsters: It is the property owner’s responsibility to clear snow around dumpsters. In order to ensure that the waste is emptied during the winter months the snow must be removed in front and around the container. The container must be moved a minimum of 7 feet from where it is setting in order to be emptied. The waste collection crew must be able to maneuver the container in order to hook it up to the truck.
Snow Removal Information