SAINT PAUL, MN (February 15, 2024) - The City of Saint Paul has not declared a Snow Emergency. Since it began snowing on Wednesday, Public Works crews have been plowing and salting the drive lanes on arterial and collector streets throughout the city. Starting at 10:30 a.m. today, crews will be doing “center cuts” and salting residential streets where needed.
Center cuts are a snow plowing technique in which crews only plow in the center drive lanes between parked cars. This allows people to drive more easily on residential streets to access the main arterial streets. Residents can expect snow and minor windrows in and along the parking lanes of residential streets.
“Last winter we heard from residents they would like us plowing residential streets sooner so they can get more easily in and out of their neighborhoods,” said Sean Kershaw, Director of Saint Paul Public Works. “By not declaring a Snow Emergency, we are plowing residential streets a day earlier and are able to leverage the warmer pavement conditions, the sun, and warmer temperatures forecast for later this week to address snow compaction in the drive lanes.”
“This unusual winter demands an approach that differs from our usual snow emergency operations,” said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “We'll clear residential streets a day earlier and crews will ensure all our streets are safe and passable.”
In preparation for yesterday’s storm which brought approximately six inches of snow accumulation, Saint Paul Public Works closely monitored weather and road conditions. Crews pretreated arterial streets with brine and plowed arterial streets overnight and throughout the morning.
The city has adjusted its staffing model and operations for this snow event, which includes bringing in additional staff and transitioning crews to plowing and salting residential streets starting at 10:30 a.m. today. The City of Saint Paul does not typically salt residential streets; however, Public Works will use a minimal amount of salt products to help melt and address ice and snow compaction in the drive lanes on residential streets.
Crews will continue to plow center cuts and salt residential streets this afternoon, overnight, and tomorrow. Because this is not a Snow Emergency residents will not be ticketed and towed. If people are able to move vehicles off streets, it is appreciated by the plow drivers, and they will attempt to clear snow to the curb where possible.
For more information and updates about the latest snow operations, visit www.stpaul.gov/snow
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