The City of Twin Falls is taking additional precautions to clear and maintain city streets during the winter season, and it’s asking for the public’s help to ensure that street crews can safely clear streets when significant snow or precipitation arrives.
The city has six snowplows and sanders to maintain more than 640 lane-miles of streets, which are cleared of snow and ice before being dusted with a mix of sand and de-icing agent. Additionally, city street crews apply salt brine in before snowfall to prevent ice accumulation on the roadway.
Roadways are plowed and sanded in order of priority. For example, main arterial roadways such as Blue Lakes Boulevard, Eastland Avenue, Washington Street, Addison Avenue, Kimberly Road and Pole Line Road are higher priority because they support higher traffic counts and provide critical access for emergency vehicles.
Streets with smaller traffic counts are cleared and sanded after priority roads have been completed. However, the city does not normally plow residential streets because residents’ may park along the street makes it too narrow for the plow trucks to operate safely. But the city will apply salt and sand on intersections at residential intersections.
Please remember the following while driving this winter:
- SLOW IT DOWN: The posted speed limit is the recommended speed under ideal driving conditions. When snow and ice are present, drivers should reduce their speed to prevent collisions or losing control of the vehicle. In general, give yourself an extra 15 minutes during the winter to scrape your windshield and drive slower.
- SPACE IT OUT: The ‘three-second rule’ states when following another vehicle, drivers should pick a point on the road and count slowly to three after the vehicle in front passes the point. If the driver passes the chosen point before the count of three, then that driver is following too close. During hazardous driving conditions, drivers should extend the count to five or more.
- STOP EARLY AND SLOWLY: Double or even triple your stopping distance - heavier vehicles like trucks require more stopping distance on slick roadways. Also, apply the break gently to avoid losing traction.
In the event of significant snowfall, the City of Twin Falls encourages the following:
- DO NOT PARK ON THE STREET: Snow plows eject snow and debris with significant force, which can cause damage to vehicles parked on the side of the street. If possible, please park in your driveway or another designated parking area. This will help city plow drivers clear streets faster and more effectively without damaging vehicles.
- PLEASE DO NOT SHOVEL SNOW INTO STREET: When clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks and walkways, please dispose of it on a permeable landscaped area such as grass or gravel. This will help the snow melt into the ground and avoid flooding cause by covered or overwhelmed city storm water drains. Locate the stormwater drain nearest your residence, which is typically located along the curbing or gutters on city streets. If drains become clogged or frozen, you can help by clearing snow or ice from the drain.
- BE AWARE OF SNOW MEDIANS: Some streets require plows to move snow to the center of the street — rather than to the curbside. This helps prevent against snow accumulation on sidewalks and flooding of residences and business when the snow melts.
- SIGN UP FOR CITY ALERTS: Please sign up for alerts from the City of Twin Falls by selecting the ‘Notify Me’ link on the city’s website at www.tfid.org
Please call the City of Twin Falls non-emergency dispatch line at 208-735-4357 to report dangerous conditions on roads or intersections. City street workers or officers with the Twin Falls Police Department will evaluate the roadway and dispatch plows and sanders when needed.