Snow Plow Update: All Residential Streets will be Plowed; Operation Started at 7:00 AM

All public residential streets will be plowed today, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The plowing operation began at 7:00 AM.  

Where possible, please choose off-street parking options. Fewer cars along the road help plows clear the street quickly and safely. If off-street parking is not an option, be sure to follow all posted parking rules. Trash and recycling collection will occur as scheduled. Do not position the carts in the street, as they obstruct plowing vehicles.

For traveling through Madison, be prepared for slippery roads with areas that are not part of the salt routes being snow covered. The main thoroughfares that comprise the salt route network are in good winter driving condition, but your full attention to commuting is still required.

Snow is expected to continue throughout the day, but with far less intensity than what we experienced yesterday afternoon. With warming pavement temperatures and air temperatures, no accumulation is expected on the salt routes. As with all travel during active snowstorms, you must make good choices and stay alert. Slippery spots may develop in these wet and slippery conditions. Drive slow, stay alert, and be patient.

The Streets Division’s response to this storm began yesterday afternoon. Crews plowed and applied salt as needed to the main thoroughfares during the evening rush hour and into the night.

Snow accumulation on the residential streets through Madison varies this morning. For example, neighborhoods on Madison’s far west side seem to have far more snow than in some places closer to the isthmus. However, considering the totality of the circumstances, and the amount of snow we received, and the weather forecast, the determination was made to plow all city streets.

At 7:00 AM, the Streets Division, plus heavy equipment contractors, and additional help from partner city Public Works agencies, began the residential street plowing operation.

Citywide plowing takes 12 to 14 hours from start to finish during a typical winter event. All residential streets should be expected to be plowed by this evening.

While snow is expected to continue through the day, due to the warm air and pavement temperatures, no additional accumulation on residential streets is expected to occur once the accumulated snow is pushed from the road and to the curb.

If you are traveling through Madison today, and encounter plowing vehicles, please remember to give them the space to do their work safely.

Also, as you travel, you may encounter intersections that are temporarily blocked with snow. Much like when snow falls off plows into driveways, snow will also fall into intersections when plows drive through these areas, too. Part of the snowplowing work is to circle through neighborhood streets over and over in order to tuck as much of this snow as possible back to the curb. It takes time and multiple passes to address it all. Your patience is appreciated.

Finally, this is a very wet, thick snow. When this is pushed from the road to the curb, it may prove difficult and heavy to shovel when it blocks driveways, crosswalks, and other gaps along the curb. Please take care when clearing these areas. Take breaks, and do not overexert yourself.

Streets Division staff will continue to monitor the roads and the weather. Operations will adjust should the road or weather conditions require it.