Snow & Ice

Loading sand into plow truck

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department strives to provide safe and passable roads to the best of our ability during the winter season. This page describes procedures to provide the safest possible roadway system and access routes for emergency response vehicles, transit and motorists. The City will provide such service in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind employee and public safety, budget, personnel, and environmental concerns. The City will utilize internal and external personnel and resources to provide the service to the best of our ability in order to mitigate the impacts of winter weather.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

Snow and ice control is a very visible service that affects everyone who travels during the winter months. Therefore, communication between the City and residents is important for the safety of the traveling public and the personnel involved in the snow and ice control operation.

Depending on the severity and length of the event, the City of Corvallis will use a variety of means to communicate snow and ice control information in the City, as well as provide additional information and/or phone numbers for street/road conditions around the area and state. This will be accomplished through one or more of the following sources:

RESIDENT COOPERATION

All residents of Corvallis are requested to support the efforts of the Public Works Department's snow and ice control operations in order to achieve the best possible results in the most efficient manner. During snow emergencies and winter storm conditions, all residents are asked to remove their parked vehicles, boats, and trailers from all city streets. This will allow snow plows to clear the streets quickly and with fewer passes. Keeping vehicles off of public streets will also improve accessibility and minimize the risk of damage to private property from vehicles losing control on slick surfaces.

The City will not be responsible for damage or blockage of vehicles parked on the street, including vehicles that are isolated by snow piles during plowing operations. All garbage and debris recycling containers set out for collection should be kept behind the curb or in residential driveways at all times. Public Works is not responsible for damage to privately owned landscaping or structures, including but not limited to fences, signs, curbs, and wires that are installed within the public right-of-way.

Snow removal by property owners or occupants should not be stacked or stockpiled over catch basins or the ends of culverts. Rapid warming or thawing could overload drainage facilities, causing local flooding and/or possible property damage. City staff will clear blocked catch basins and culverts as storm response circumstances allow.

RESIDENT PREPAREDNESS

The City does not guarantee that streets will be free of snow and ice after plowing and/or sanding. Ultimately, it is each resident’s responsibility to insure that they can travel to and from their homes if necessary during winter events. Bare, dry pavement should not be expected and residents are asked to do the following:

  • Carry traction control devices. Drivers should ensure their vehicles have appropriate traction control devices for the existing conditions and for the type of vehicle being used. Traction control devices should be installed prior to driving during snow/ice events.
  • Drive only when necessary and plan for delays. More vehicles cause more congestion, delays, and unnecessary accidents.
  • Be patient and courteous to other drivers. Slow down when traveling in hazardous conditions. Most accidents occur because the driver is going too fast for the weather conditions.
  • Learn the City’s priority routes for plowing and sanding. Become familiar with them prior to a snow/ice event. Check the City website frequently to ensure you know which streets are open.
  • Consider using public transportation. Corvallis Transit System and Philomath Connection buses operate during inclement weather and can maneuver through snow and ice more easily than most lightweight personal vehicles. Be aware that buses will likely experience delays, depending on specific road conditions. Get real-time bus arrival information for CTS routes at: www.corvallistransit.com/rtt/public/. The CTS and PC websites will have current information on route detours, stop closures, and potential suspension of services. You may also call transit dispatch at 541-766-6998 for scheduling and route information.
  • Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. Benton Area Transit (BAT) follows the Corvallis School District protocol in snow and ice conditions. When schools close due to inclement weather, routine BAT service is suspended. If safe passage is possible, rides will be provided based on their essential nature (for example, scheduled dialysis appointments at Samaritan Medical Center). Frail elderly or disabled residents and, if applicable, their caretakers are encouraged to consider personal safety issues first if planning any outdoor travel during snow and ice conditions.
  • To obtain additional travel tips and information, go to: www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/pages/winterdriving.aspx.

DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS

During a snow and ice event, plowing and sanding will deposit snow and sand on sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way. It is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner/occupant to clear snow, ice, and debris from sidewalks and driveways. City crews will be assigned to clean sidewalks abutting city properties and leading to City building entrances.

Sidewalks not cleared within 24 hours after the snow and ice event has concluded can be subject to code enforcement actions (Municipal Code 5.04.050, Nuisances affecting public safety).

SNOW AND ICE RESPONSE ROUTES

Plowing and sanding will occur when staff determines that it is the best solution for the conditions that exist. Sanding will begin as soon as slick street conditions materialize. Sanding operations will stop if snow accumulations are covering over applied sand, making sanding operations ineffective. Plowing will begin when accumulating snow exceeds approximately two (2") inches. Freezing conditions make plowing ineffective. To view snow and ice removal operations, check out this video:

Corvallis Public Works - Snow Plowing 01/07/2017 from City of Corvallis on Vimeo.

The route priorities are:

Priority 1
The following streets are considered to be the minimum network which must be kept open to provide a transportation system connecting essential facilities, hospitals, fire stations, police stations and emergency response units and shall be designated as a Priority 1:

  • Good Samaritan (Samaritan Drive and Emergency Room access)
  • Fire Station accesses (5th Street, Circle Boulevard, 35th Street, Tunison Avenue)
  • All Corvallis Transit System routes
  • Select streets within the Central Business District connecting to essential facilities (2nd Street, Jackson, Tyler, Polk, and Adams Avenues)
  • Corvallis Public Works access (Waterworks Drive)
  • Arterials and collectors such as Circle Boulevard, Walnut Avenue, 9th Street, Research Way, 29th Street, Harrison Boulevard, Van Buren Avenue, Garfield Avenue, Witham Hill Drive, and Elks Drive.

Priority 2
The following streets provide significant secondary access routes for emergency responders and community travel and shall be designated as Priority 2:

  • Local Collector Streets such as Brooklane Drive, 49th Street, 45th Street, Birdsong, 26th Street, 30th Street, Grant Avenue, Washington Avenue, Alexander Avenue, Thompson Street, Garfield Avenue, Glenridge Drive, Ponderosa Avenue
  • Higher elevation areas-- Skyline West, South Hills, Garryanna, Rolling Green, Estaview, Elmwood and Myrtlewood 
  • Corvallis Municipal Airport

Priority 3
All other local roads not listed as Priority 1 or 2 shall be designated as Priority 3. Streets and areas in this category include:

  • Residential streets that connect to arterial and collector streets listed in Priority 2
  • City owned public parking lots

The Public Works Director or his/her designee, Police Department, or Fire Department may initiate a road closure in these or any other locations that are deemed unsafe for vehicular travel.

Except when requested by fire or police, plowing and sanding will not take place in the following areas:

  • Private streets
  • Streets and cul-de-sacs exceeding 15% grade
  • Alleys
  • Streets maintained by other agencies (ODOT, Benton County, OSU)

Follow this link for a map of snow and ice response priorities.

POST EVENT CLEANUP

Sand cleanup operations between curbs in roadway will begin at the conclusion of the storm when streets become free of ice and snow and the forecast does not call for more snow or ice within the next 24 hours.

Priorities for picking up sand will be the same as for placement of sand. Special attention will be given to main roads (arterials) with striped bike lanes to ensure they are clean. Sidewalks and driveways are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to keep clear.

DEPARTURE FROM POLICY

The City Manager and/or the Public Works Director may order a departure from these guidelines when conditions are such that it's necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Corvallis. The City Manager or his/her designee is authorized to publicly announce that non-emergency travel is not recommended when conditions warrant such a warning.

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Residents are encouraged to:

  • Be prepared
  • Use traction devices on your vehicle
  • Learn the priority routes for plowing and/or sanding
  • Travel only when necessary
  • Use public transit
  • Walk to your destination
  • Stock up on food and water supplies when an event is imminent
  • Plan for delays
  • Keep sidewalks along your property clear
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