City Public Works snow removal crews are working now to clear a one-lane pass on Snow Emergency Routes. Crews worked through the night near Fire Stations to keep streets open to assist emergency vehicles and first responders and will continue to assist first responders, as they take first priority.
The heavy snow made it nearly impossible to use motor graders to move snow during the night due to the snow and weather conditions, the motor graders were getting stuck. Snow removal operators are using front-end loaders to remove the snow, which makes for slow going. Public Works Director Jeff Heintz said they’re working with local construction companies to assist them with equipment to help them push through the drifts.
Heintz reinforced the No Travel Advisory remains in effect in Bismarck and asked residents to “stay home and not try to go anywhere today,” while they work to clear city streets. He asked for residents to be patient. “It will take many days to get this snow cleared out.” According to the National Weather Service, Bismarck had received 12.5” of snow as of 6 A.M. It may be Wednesday, before many of the roads are cleared.
The Snow Emergency remains in effect. All designated snow emergency routes are included in this emergency declaration. Parking is prohibited on designated snow emergency routes; vehicles must be removed from these roadways and parked off the street, on driveways, or parking ramps. Crews will plow these snow emergency routes to clear a one-lane pass today.
No Travel Advisory remains in effect. Bismarck Police Chief Police Dan Donlin advises no travel within the City of Bismarck until further notice. Due to the accumulation of snow and increased winds, visibility is limited and roads are impassible in areas throughout the city. Stranded vehicles are blocking the roadways and intersections are creating unsafe conditions for law enforcement, emergency vehicles, first responders and snowplows. Roads may be impassible or blocked. Motorists should take NO TRAVEL ADVISED seriously. Motorists who choose to travel at their own risk may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely.
Please keep in mind that ideal results may not always be obtainable during periods of wind, extreme cold, and accumulation of snow or ice.
We ask that contractors cleaning parking lots DO NOT push the snow into the street or across the street onto the boulevard.
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 - With the recent snow event, we are asking 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 to time to ensure the hydrants in your area are kept clear also.”