Public Works Update: Snow Plowing Rotational Schedule & General Updates
The weather patterns have been challenging due to fluctuating daytime temperatures. Sanding trucks have been out up to six days a week to address the icy and slippery road and sidewalk conditions. Driving at lower speeds is the best defense to get where you are traveling, safely. For the last several weeks, snow crews have been plowing streets throughout the city. Recently, new employees were able to practice and improve their skills removing snow berms on major streets and in the downtown core.
Note: The City of Fairbanks does not use salt on the roads within our responsibility during the winter months. Our approach to winter road maintenance prioritizes alternative methods to minimize environmental impact while ensuring public safety. Instead of salt, the City of Fairbanks employs sanding chips and plowing techniques to address icy road conditions. We believe this strategy strikes a balance between safety and environmental consciousness. We encourage residents to take necessary precautions and drive safely during winter weather. Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work to maintain a safe and sustainable community.
To view who is responsible for maintaining your road or any other road you have an issue with please CLICK HERE: https://fastplanning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=dc754f08651e497fabddfbc03c2323ef
To view the City of Fairbanks snow plowing schedule which is updated weekly CLICK HERE:
https://www.fairbanksalaska.us/publicworks/page/current-snow-removal-operations
2023-2024 Snow Plowing Schedule
The City of Fairbanks Public Works Department plows and removes snow in neighborhoods within the City limits on a rotating schedule as noted below. This is an approximate 4-6-week turn around. If there is significant additional snowfall before the rotation ends, we will address the *emergency areas and main thoroughfares immediately and then return to the residential rotation where we left off. In a typical winter, snow will be removed and hauled away twice in neighborhoods during the day. In the Spring, as much hard pack will be removed before breakup. The night shift will address the Downtown Core Area (First Avenue-Fifth Avenue between Barnette and Noble Streets).
Below is the projected rotating snow removal schedule for RESIDENTIAL areas (day shift):
- Rickert, Gateway, Bjerremark
- EM Jones, South Westgate, Executive Park, Hilton Park, Westgate, Taku and Doyon Estates
- Lemeta, Royal Court
- Hamilton Acres, Shannon Park
- Aurora, and Johnston Subdivisions
- Weeks Field, Memorial Park, Mooreland Acres
In Island Homes, Walden Estates, Arctic Park, East of Noble (Townsite), Brandt, Slaterville, and Graehl neighborhoods snow is only removed-no plowing is possible due to narrow streets and on-street parking and they will be inserted in the rotation above as needed for snow removal.
*Safety Zones: Schools, Hospitals, Fire and Police access
*Main Corridors: Cushman, Noble, Barnette, Cowles, Lacey, Old Steese
Due to garbage collection days, snow crews may be deployed to other locations outside of the rotation schedule.
As a friendly reminder, City code does not allow snow or hard pack from private property to be pushed onto sidewalks, right-of-ways or streets and requires sidewalks to be cleared of snow and ice by adjacent property owners. Only snow from sidewalks can be pushed curbside where it then can be removed during snow removal operations. If driveways have not been shoveled throughout the winter, there may be a significant drop off when hard pack is removed from sidewalks and streets. This drop can damage vehicles so residents need to taper the drop off. before entering or exiting their driveways. It is a property owner's responsibility to maintain their driveways to avoid these drop offs during plowing or hard pack removal.
ORANGE SIGNS AND/OR MESSAGE BOARDS WILL BE PLACED IN SUBDIVISIONS TO NOTIFY RESIDENTS OF SCHEDULE OR CHANGES
When areas are posted we require all vehicles/trailers be removed from the roadway to allow our crews to remove all the snow.
Please note: The transfer of snow from private property/driveways into the street, City right of way, or drainage ditches is prohibited per FGC Sec. 70-321(b) and FGC Sec. 82-336B, and could result in a minimum $200 fee or higher if actual costs of snow removal by city staff and equipment is more than $200.
