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City of Bridgeport Emergency Snow Routes

Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here for a map of the snow routes)

The City of Bridgeport has spent numerous hours of planning and preparing for new snow and ice removal policies to be implemented this winter. We have prepared this information to inform you about our winter snow and ice removal polices. Please read this information, and use it as a reference this winter.

Our Goal

Our preliminary objective during any winter storm is to keep thoroughfares open and safe for the motoring public. Thoroughfares are part of the emergency snow route system. When a snow emergency is declared, priority will be given to emergency snow routes. Additional priorities will also be given to:

·         Streets adjacent to schools

·         Bus routes

·         Police, fire, and rescue squad stations

Residential streets will be given service, when possible, after snow routes and priority locations have been cleared.

What is a Snow Emergency?

A snow emergency is a plan that will allow the City to clear snow when conditions are such that normal snow operations are not able to keep the streets clear. During snow emergencies, a special "No Parking" ban goes into effect on selected City streets. This is the most effective way to provide access for effective snow control operations. Snow Emergency Routes are posted with a sign with a blue background and white snowflake.

When will a Snow Emergency be declared?

The official ordinance states that “the City Administrator will declare a snow emergency whenever weather conditions make it necessary to prohibit parking to allow snow plowing to be successfully completed.” Basically, this declaration will generally be made when more than a couple of inches of snow falls. This will be based on falling snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or an official forecast by the National Weather Service for significant winter weather. When the City Administrator declares a snow emergency, the declaration will state the time that the emergency will become effective. The snow emergency will remain in effect until it has been terminated by the City Administrator.

How will I know that a Snow Emergency has been declared?

The City Administrator will inform local radio and television media of the snow emergency as soon as it is issued. You can tune to local radio and TV stations when snow is falling or predicted to fall to see if a snow emergency has been issued. The City will also be utilizing the Vital Call emergency phone calling system. If you would like to be notified when a snow emergency is issued, please contact City Hall at 262-1623 to make sure that we have your contact information correct, and asked to be added to the Snow Emergency Calling list. You can also e-mail bboyer@cityofbport.com.

What happens when a Snow Emergency is declared?

From the time the emergency is declared, there is no parking of any vehicles or trailers on all snow emergency routes. Also, no person operating a motor vehicle on a snow emergency route shall allow the vehicle to become stalled or stuck so that it remains in such a position longer than momentarily. If a vehicle becomes stalled for any reason, the owner needs to take immediate action to have the vehicle towed or pushed off the roadway. No person shall abandon or leave the vehicle in the roadway, except for the purpose of securing assistance for removal.

What happens if I park on a Emergency Snow Route?

Whenever any Police Officer, city employee or person contracted to assist with the removing snow and/or ice from the streets, shall find a vehicle in violation of the Emergency Snow Route plan, they may remove the vehicle, or have the owner remove the vehicle. The owner or other person lawfully entitled to the possession of any vehicle towed or stored shall be charged with the reasonable cost of towing and storage fees, plus a fine of $25.00. Any such towing or storage fee shall be a lien upon the vehicle prior to all other claims. Any person towing or storing a vehicle shall be entitled to retain possession of such vehicle until such charges are paid. The lien provided for in this section shall not apply to the contents of any vehicles.

What about Main Street?

When a snow emergency is declared, the declaration may include or may later be expanded to include a prohibition of parking on downtown commercial areas. The declaration shall include a statement of the hours during which parking shall be prohibited for the purpose of snow removal from commercial areas. This parking ban will not extend beyond the time reasonably required for such snow removal. These areas include Main Street, between 5^th Street and 11^th Street, and 10^th Street, between L Street and Main Street.

Where are the emergency snow routes located?

The Snow Emergency Route System was planned so all residents will have to go no more than a few blocks to get to a plowed street. It also allows emergency vehicles to get within a few blocks of every residence. These are truly "emergency" routes to keep essential services functioning after a major snowfall or heavy drifting that could otherwise paralyze our city. Vehicles parked on a posted snow route during emergency conditions may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. In addition, plows may continue to work the area around parked vehicles, blocking them with piles of snow. Adherence to the Emergency Snow Route parking restriction is greatly appreciated. Snow Emergency Routes are posted with a sign with a blue background and white snowflake.

The snow emergency routes are:  (Click here for a map of the snow routes)

·         Highway 92 – Recreation Road to Main Street

·         Highway 385 – Main Street to South Railroad Avenue

·         Highway 385 – 5^th Street to Platte River Bridge

·         3^rd Street – Recreation Road to H Street

·         4^th Street – H Street to Main Street

·         5^th Street – Main Street to P Street

·         7^th Street – P Street to Q Street

·         8^th Street – Railroad Avenue to P Street

·         9^th Street – Q Street to R Street

·         11^th Street – Main Street to R Street

·         13^th Street – R Street to S Street

·         Recreation Road – 5^th Street to Entrance of Bridgeport State Lakes

·         So. Railroad Avenue – Junction Hwy 88 to Junction Hwy 385

·         H Street – 3^rd Street to 4^th Street

·         L Street – 8^th Street to 10^th Street

·         P Street – 5^th Street to 7^th Street

·         Q Street – 7^th Street to Junction Hwy 385

·         R Street – 11^th Street to 13^th Street

·         S Street – 9^th Street to Junction Hwy 385

What about the Community Center Parking Lot?

When a snow emergency is declared, there will be no parking in the Prairie Winds Community Center parking lot between the hours of 12:00 AM (Midnight) and 5:00 AM.

Why can’t the City clear my driveway?

Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of owning a home in western Nebraska. Despite popular opinion, crews do not place snow in driveways on purpose. There is no practical way for the snow plow operator to cut off the windrow of snow when crossing a driveway. The problem is compounded by the fact that each homeowner then must clear their driveway, which places large piles on the corners of the drives. One thing you can do to reduce the amount of snow that is plowed in front of your driveway is to place as much of the snow as possible to the right side of your drive, as you face the street. This reduces the chance of snow previously removed from the driveway being pushed back onto your drive.

What can I do to help?

One major problem that works against snow removal operations is people shoveling or blowing snow back onto the street after it has been plowed and salted. City ordinances prohibit placing snow back onto the roadway once it has been plowed. Snow that has been deposited onto the street could refreeze and cause a hazardous condition for you or your neighbors. Please place the snow that you shovel off of your driveway and sidewalk onto your property and not back onto the street. Also:

   * When it starts to snow, park your vehicle off of the street. This protects the car from being splashed with slush and salt, prevents the car from being plowed in, or from receiving a ticket and being towed.
   * If you have a curb-side mailbox, check to make sure that the mailbox and post are in good repair and that they are behind the curb, not leaning out over the street.
   * If there is a fire hydrant in front of your home, please try to clear the snow around the hydrant. It is there for your protection and that of your neighbors.
   * Please remove portable basketball hoops from the street right of way. If they are left in an area where they can be damaged by our snow removal operations, we will not be responsible for any damage.

If you have any questions regarding our snow removal efforts, please call the City Administrator at 262-1623.