View the Interactive Snow Removal Priority Map to determine plowing priorities within your area. Be sure to click the + sign next to "Snow Plow Priorities" under the "Map Contents" on the left side of the screen to expand the map legend details.
Snow Removal
Draper City’s snow removal crews remove snow from our roads every winter season starting November 1 through April 30. Crews are called out to plow after two inches of snow has accumulated on the roads. They strive to achieve bare pavement on all first-priority roads within 24 hours following a storm and aim to clear all remaining streets within 48 hours following a storm. Draper City also prepares for a storm by spreading salt brine to deice the roadways.
Snow Plow Priority Roads
During ongoing, severe storms, Draper City’s main streets will take precedence for safety reasons. Once the storm begins to subside, crews will move on to inner subdivision streets and cul-de-sacs. Please be patient as it may take a little longer to reach every street in a major storm.
Priority 1: High-traffic roadways, school zones, hills, and arterial and collector roads receive top plowing priority. As long as the snow keeps falling, the City's number one priority is to keep the main roads open and passable. Once these streets are clear, crews proceed to second- and third-priority streets.
Priority 2: Streets through residential subdivisions, including roads that connect back to a collector street are second priority. Since crews have to clear priority streets first, residential streets may not be plowed until after the snowstorm has subsided.
Priority 3: Inner subdivisions, cul-de-sacs, circles, and dead-end streets have the lowest priority of snow removal and are cleared last because of the low traffic volume on these roads. This could take 48 hours after a major storm ends.
Private lanes and private streets are not plowed by Draper City.
Snowplows try to avoid placing snow on sidewalks, but in some instances this is impossible. The adjacent property owner is responsible to keep sidewalks clear (DCMC Section 7-13-030). Adjacent property owners shall remove snow from the sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snow has ceased falling. For snow removal concerns regarding sidewalks abutting private property, contact the Draper City Code Enforcement Officer at (801) 576-6539. For snow removal concerns regarding sidewalks abutting City property, contact the Parks Department at (801) 576-6571.
Blowing, throwing or pushing snow from driveways and walkways into the street creates a traffic hazard and is a Draper City Code violation. Removed snow should be placed onto landscaped areas instead. (Draper City Municipal Code Section 7-13-030)
Residential Driveways/Snow Windrow
As snow plows travel along streets, the snow accumulated on the plow blade has no place to go but into driveways. This is called a snow windrow. The more snow that has fallen, the greater the snow windrow will be. The snow windrow is the residents responsibility to clear. Please pile shoveled snow on the left side of the driveway facing your home, rather than on both sides at the end of the driveway. This helps the plows to avoid carrying piles from the "upstream" side back across driveways.
Winter On-Street Parking Rules
No person shall park or leave a vehicle or trailer on any highway between the hours of midnight and 6:00 AM, or while snow is on the street, from November 1 through April 30. Vehicles or trailers that are parked on a highway in violation of the provisions of this section may be removed at the owner's expense. (Draper City Municipal Code, Section 14-5-020)
Winter vehicle parking restrictions do not apply to residential streets where parking is prohibited with No Parking signage for the full length of one side of the street.
Draper City Public Works has been working to improve its snow removal program by using new technology, including brine. During winter months, Draper City Public Works personnel will continuously monitor forecasted storms. Draper residents may see a sizeable tanker-type truck with spray bars on the rear applying a brine solution to the roadways before anticipated snow events. Applying brine at these times is a preemptive measure to combat icy conditions and is more cost-effective than the traditional process of salting and sanding after a snow event. Applying this brine solution lowers the freezing point of any water it comes into contact with, even when temperatures fall below zero.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the process and materials used.
Brine is a high-concentration salt solution in water. In different contexts, brine may refer to salt solutions ranging from about 3.5% to about 26%.
Brine is made by putting a mixture of salt and water into a large tank and mixing to 23% salinity.
Salt brine is applied by spraying it directly onto the pavement up to 72 hours in advance of a winter storm.
It settles into tiny crevices, creating a layer that prevents ice and snow from bonding with the pavement.
Pre-treating is a snow-fighting strategy used in anticipation of winter road conditions. Pre-treating pavements with salt brine is 300 to 400% more efficient than waiting for ice to form and then applying salt.
When applied before a winter storm, salt brine will begin working as soon as the first snowflake falls and will help delay the accumulation of snow and ice on the pavement.
· Salt applications may still be needed depending on the duration and severity of the snow/ice storm. However, a brine-treated roadway will normally not require salt until well after the storm has begun.
How is Salt Brine Applied to the Road When Pre-Treating?
Crews use a specially modified truck to spray the brine on the roads.
When salt brine is applied, the truck runs a PTO that drives a hydraulic pump, which moves the brine to the spray bars on the rear of the truck. You will notice these trucks driving slowly. By driving at a slower speed, the brine is applied at an even rate.
Dry salt in frigid temperatures often lies on the snow, blows around, and takes a while to work. However, if you wet the salt with a substance such as brine, it sticks to the roadway better, which allows it to do its job. The Brine-enhanced salt also enables the mixture to work better in frigid temperatures.
The use of Salt Brine returns pavement to bare conditions faster, saving lives and reducing property damage. It also reduces the quantity of deicer used, resulting in cost savings and fewer environmental concerns.
What Should I Do When Following a Truck Applying Salt Brine?
The truck applying salt brine will usually be traveling less than the posted speed limit. By driving at a slower speed, the brine is applied at an even rate.
Motorists should stay back at least 100 feet, preferably more, from the vehicle and give them plenty of room.