The City of Bismarck has cleared Snow Emergency Routes. Some areas are narrowed to a single lane.  Please drive with caution. City Streets and Roads crews will work on widening these areas tonight. Crews are working to clear the Main Arterial Routes now and are concentrating on those. They’ll be pushing their way through city streets and making a pass through the middle to open every street in town, in an attempt to get the streets that are still plugged with snow opened up.

Don’t be disheartened if you see activity and then the snow plow operators leave. They’ll be back to continue their efforts to widen the streets. They’re trying to give everyone the ability to have access and then will be working to widen all the streets in town. They’re doing their best to get the streets open and make them passable. Crews started getting into some residential plow zones this afternoon, so they’re making headway!

Bismarck Police Chief Dan Donlin advises limited travel within the City of Bismarck to allow snow plows enough time to get through the residential areas and not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Due to the amount of snow residential streets remain impassible and residents are getting stuck in neighborhoods. Stranded vehicles blocking the roadways and intersections are creating unsafe conditions for law enforcement, emergency vehicles, first responders and snowplows. We ask residents for their continued patience as we work to clear the streets and make them passable.

The Snow Emergency remains in effect until further notice. 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.

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 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.