It's 'snow' problem

Snow removal procedures for secondary roads have been updated.

Earlier this year, the board of supervisors voted in favor of changing Jasper County's snow removal ordinance to a snow removal policy so that changes could be made more easily. Prior to the change, it would take three public hearings to alter the ordinance.

Truck-mounted snowplows and spreaders will not normally be in operation on paved routes between 5:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., according to the county’s policy. The Jasper County Engineer’s Office will direct its initial efforts to get all routes open to one lane traffic as soon as possible following the storm.

Once one lane of travel is possible, subsequent snow removal will be carried on during working hours.

Snow plow drivers may be called off the road by the county engineer — or, in this case, his delegated representative — if the forecast reduces visibility to hazardous working conditions. Salt, sand or other abrasives may be placed on intersections, hills and curves after roads have been plowed.

Also, these areas may not be re-covered between snowstorms.

More graders may be used to open or keep open the paved roads when required, likely due to drifting snow; the opening of granular surfaced roads may be delayed. It is not the policy of Jasper County to provide a “dry” pavement condition, the snow removal policy stated.

On unpaved roads, the county will direct its effort to open one-lane traffic at least one direction of ingess and egress for each inhabited resident of the region’s granular-surfaced roads. Afterward, these routes will be widened to allow two-lane traffic in preparation of the next snowstorm.

Remaining unopened granular surfaced roads will be opened to one lane travel.

The county’s final step is to widen all granular-surfaced roads not previously widened to two-lane travel. Snow will not be removed from roads designated as Level “B” roads. As with paved routes, motor graders may be called off the road if snow or blowing reduces visibility.

No motor grader snow removal operations will be undertaken on holidays, Saturdays or Sundays when snowfall totals three inches or less, unless drifting snow and road blockages occur. Jasper County will also not clear snow from private drives, except for emergencies.

To be considered an emergency, loss of life must be probable, a serious injury has occurred or extensive loss of property is imminent.

Normal snow removal operations will result in snow being deposited in private driveways, the county’s policy says. Residents are still responsible for removing this snow, which cannot be placed in the roadways or shoulders.

Any mailboxes destroyed or damaged during snow removal operations — such as those knocked down by the force of snow thrown from the plow — will not be replaced, unless the plow blade actually struck the mailbox.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com