Snow and Ice Removal Plan for Seward County Rural Roads

The plan for snow and ice removal on Seward County Rural Roads addresses the procedures that are to be followed in the event of a winter snow or ice storm. The plan is a guide only and may be deviated from at the discretion of the County Highway Superintendent, after consultation with the Assistant Highway Superintendent and Foreman. It is the County’s policy to make the best possible use of the County personnel and equipment in the administration of this service. It is not the intent of Seward County to have a “bare road” policy, but rather to use its personnel and equipment according to this plan.

It is the County’s intent to open all roads in a consistent and timely manner. The Highway Superintendent, after consultation with the Assistant Highway Superintendent and Foreman in charge, will dispatch snow removal crews and equipment when snow accumulation is at a measurable depth and it is safe to do so. The goal is to restore usual traffic as soon as possible after snow removal operations have begun and will be accomplished with expanded hours, if feasible given the weather conditions. Snow, wind, and visibility conditions will determine when plowing operations may begin or proceed.

Sanding and clearing of snow will be done for the movement of traffic and to provide as much traction as possible to motorists. There will be times that roads are very slick and snow-covered. In the case of a severe storm, roads may be completely blocked by heavy drifts or severe ice. Those roads will be cleared as soon as weather and time permits. They may have one-lane traffic for long periods of time before clearing is feasible. In those situations, motorists must exercise caution in operating their vehicle. Any vehicle that becomes stalled or abandoned on the county road system during a snow or ice is the responsibility of the owner.

Routes designated as Other Arterial and Collector roads will be plowed first with other areas or less traveled roads following.

Each operator will be furnished a map of their area showing the priority roads.
Operator schedules will be adjusted as needed for initial snow removal. Expanded snow removal will primarily be done during normal working hours. Emergency plowing or sanding for Emergency Services and Utility Services will be done by the designated operator. Gravel roads will not be sanded or salted under any conditions. Hard surfaced roads will be sanded and/or salted in the following areas as needed, or at the discretion of the Highway Superintendent or Assistant Highway Superintendent: curves, hills, stop signs, intersections, bridges. Operators of snow equipment will have at least one meeting in September of each year to outline their duties. They will be furnished a map of their area of responsibility along with a copy of the current snow plan.

Definitions

One Lane – A single pass with equipment to remove snow to allow one opened lane of traffic.
Emergency– An event of an urgent nature that would require immediate snow removal intervention to
respond to a specific location.
Normal Working Hours – 7:00am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday.
Other Arterial and Collectors – Entrance and Exit roads to a town; Highway to highway access;
Emergency response personnel; Traffic emergency alternatives routes; Potentially high risk
access/evacuation areas (i.e. chemical spill, electrical stations); School bus and postal routes.
Bare Road – Road surface totally free of snow and ice.

Updated: March 2023