Snow and Ice Removal

Before a winter weather event, the Public Works department pre-treats city-maintained roads with a salt brine solution to facilitate snow melting. The department then provides snow removal services for residents and businesses on these treated roadways.

The highest priority for snow plowing and treatment are major roads bordering public schools and hospitals. These critical routes are kept clear to ensure emergency vehicle access. Once priority roads are cleared, crews then address collector streets that funnel traffic from residential areas to main thoroughfares. Residential streets and cul-de-sacs are plowed and salted only after the priority routes have been addressed.

The City of Miamisburg has implemented several innovative strategies to enhance its snow removal operations in recent years. They are now using a new biodegradable additive mixed with brine, which allows for reduced salt application rates and lessens the environmental impact. The city’s fleet includes four trucks equipped with brine pretreatment systems, enabling them to directly apply brine to the pavement prior to a storm, preventing snow and ice from bonding to the surface. Additionally, six of the 12 city snow routes utilize trucks with tanks that can preactivate the salt with the brine mixture during application. This pretreatment process reduces bounce and scatter, helping the salt stay on the roadway more effectively and lowering the overall salt usage.

Not all roads are maintained by the city. Some roads fall outside city limits or are the responsibility of the County or State. Additionally, newly constructed subdivisions not formally accepted by the city, as well as private roadways, are cleared by private contractors rather than city crews.

Snow Removal Tips for Residents

• Park off streets during snowfall to allow crews to plow the full width. Vehicles left on the street may get blocked in or sprayed by snow debris. Crews will not return to clear the road if a parked vehicle is moved after they have finished plowing.
• Delay non-essential travel until roads are cleared.
• Do not attempt to pass city vehicles plowing or salting the roads.
• When clearing a driveway, do not push snow into the street – it will just get plowed back again. Wait until the plow has cleared the road curb-to-curb before clearing your driveway entrance.
• Clear snow from around fire hydrants and storm drains.
• If your mailbox or yard is damaged, call the Public Works Department at (937) 847-6635.