The key element for efficient snow and ice removal is receiving timely weather information. Accurate weather forecasting is imperative in deciding which of the various operational procedures will be followed. Public Works uses Clarity WX (BAM) to provide weather reports throughout the day, 365 days a year. This weather service is monitored by the superintendents, assistant director, and director. Public Works has an on-call supervisor assigned to monitor conditions 24 hours a day. Based on monitoring and assessment, the supervisor formulates, implements, and adjusts the plan to address the situation as conditions warrant.

When a major weather event is in the forecast, the City may initiate a snow emergency to ensure that all routes are clear of vehicles. When announced, parking is prohibited on the designated snow routes and all residential streets via a parking ban. Times and duration of the snow emergency may vary and are subject to change.

Residents have four hours from the announcement of a parking ban to remove vehicles from City streets. Residents with limited off-street parking are encouraged to utilize space in City parking decks.

Declarations of snow emergency are announced through City and non-City media outlets and venues with as much notice as possible. To sign up for e-mail or text updates for snow and ice removal, visit www.bloomingtonil.gov/subscribe and subscribe to Snow Updates.

During after hours, call the Bloomington Police Department at 309-820-8888 to request salt or plowing. A supervisor will make the final determination as to whether the request will be fulfilled.

All City streets, including Residential Streets, are plowed and salted during freezing rain or an ice storm. Paved alleys are salted by request.

Road Salt

•  The primary de-icing material used by the City to treat snow and ice on the pavement is standard road salt. Use of the material varies based on the severity of the winter weather, and use varies ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 tons annually. Time is crucial in applying salt to the streets. Initial application should occur as soon as snow or ice begins to accumulate on the pavement. The salt will quickly produce “brine,” a protective area between the street surface and snow or ice, preventing it from bonding to the pavement. The melting action of salt applied early in a storm works from the pavement surface upward, so ice does not stick. When temperatures drop below 15 degrees, the use of salt becomes less effective.

Pre-Treatment

• Pre-treatment is the use of salt brine material applied directly to the pavement. Public Works pre-treats bridges with salt brine depending on weather conditions.

Property Damage

• During the course of operations throughout any given winter, a certain amount of damage to City and private property may occur. In the event that parkway damage is sustained to a plow riding over the curb, Public Works will repair said damage as soon as conditions permit. Any damage sustained due to salt inadvertently splashing onto the parkway during the course of the winter will not be repaired by the City.

Mailbox Damage

• If a City plow damages a mailbox either through direct contact or due to the force of the snow rolling off the plow, the mailbox may be repaired or replaced with a standard mailbox and post. The city does not replace decorative mailboxes. Residents can contact the City for insurance information and can file a claim to receive reimbursement up to $150. A property owner who installs decorative material on the parkway does so at their own risk.

Plowing in Cul-de-Sacs

• Because of the large number of cul-de-sacs citywide, and the amount of time to clean each one, residents in these areas can expect a nominal amount of snow in their driveways as well. Public Works crews will do their best not to pile snow in front of driveways in cul-de-sacs.

Plowing Along Driveways

• It can be expected that snow will be plowed into driveways as a normal part of snow removal operations. Public Works crews will attempt to keep excessive amounts from accumulating. However, each driveway will receive a certain amount of snow. A suggested technique for clearing driveways ahead of the City plow is referenced below.
• Before your street has been plowed, we recommend the following:
  
  

  Using this method to clear snow will reduce the amount of snow that accumulates at the end of your driveway!

The City plows some Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) routes per an intergovernmental agreement. Below are the routes that City does not plow for IDOT:

• Veterans Parkway
• Market from White Oak west
• Main and Center from Armory south
• Empire from Towanda east
• Morrissey from Croxton south

IDOT contact information can be found at: https://idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/report-a-problem.html

Public Works provides alley plowing assistance for residents who are unable to move or remove snow from the alley adjacent to their property that would be required for their mode of transportation to exit and access a public street. Residents can apply for alley plowing assistance by submitting the Medical Certification for Water Service, Waste Container Assistance, and Alley Plowing Assistance. Additional details on this certification are included in the form and are listed below.

A Written Medical Certification for Water Service, Waste Container Assistance, or Alley Plowing Assistance must be made by a licensed physician. If you have any questions, please call Public Works at 309-434-2220. Please ask your physician to complete their portion of the form and provide a cover letter on official letterhead. To submit the form online, fill out the information and press the “Submit” button below. You may also print the form using the print button and submit it using one of the following:

In Person: The Hub, 115 E Washington Street, Room 103, Bloomington, IL 61701
Mail: City of Bloomington, Public Works, PO Box 3157, Bloomington, IL 61702
E-mail: publicworks@cityblm.org

Method of Certification: Once Written Medical Certification is provided, Alley Plowing Assistance shall be established within (7) business days following receipt of the valid Written Medical Certification.

Duration of Certification: A Written Medical Certification for Alley Plowing Assistance shall be valid until the next June 30 that succeeds the application date. Applicants will be given a grace period of thirty-one (31) days and must re-apply by July 31 each year to retain Alley Plowing Assistance.

Affirmation of Lack of Assistance within Residence: Applicants affirm that they are unable to move remove snow from the alley adjacent to their property that would be required for their mode of transportation to exit and access a public street that no person resides within the home who could remove snow from the stated alley.

The City recognizes that conditions may be so unusual or unexpected that a departure from these general polices could be authorized. The purpose of this policy is to explain the plans for the City regarding snow and ice removal under normal circumstances. It is not to be construed to create any duty to any individual, person, or entity.

Public Works provides snow and ice removal updates, maps, and additional information on this webpage. The direct link to this webpage is: www.bloomingtonil.gov/snow. Public Works updates this page regularly during a snow or ice event.

To sign up for e-mail or text updates for snow and ice removal, visit www.bloomingtonil.gov/subscribe and subscribe to Snow Updates.

You can also email Public Works at publicworks@cityblm.org or call 309-434-2220 during regular business hours. Click here to view the Report & Request page for more detailed contact information.

• Snow plows make wide turns and cannot easily see other vehicles, so please maintain a safe distance.
• Watch for snow, ice, and/or salt debris that may fall from snow plows.

Snow days and kids were made for each other, and the City of Bloomington wants to make sure kids stay safe when playing outside.

• Remember to always supervise children when they are playing in the snow, and make sure they’re a safe distance from roads, highways, and anywhere City snowplows and other motor vehicles are present; drivers aren’t always able to see kids on sleds or digging tunnels in snowbanks.
• Always sled sitting upright and feet first instead of headfirst and use a steerable sled, which are known to be much safer than snow discs and tubes.
• Don’t forget to bundle up with layers! Cold and snow can cause frostbite, but a reminder that scarves and strings from hoods can cause hazards of their own. Look for alternative clothing to keep kids warm.
• Make sure kids know to come inside if they are wet or cold, despite them wanting to continue to play outside.

It’s a snowy, beautiful playground, and the City wants to make sure everyone can have fun safely.

• Keep your gas tank full.
• Inspect your vehicle's anti-freeze, battery, brakes, brake fluid, defroster, heater, lights, motor oil, seat belts, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, and wiper blades.
• Check the weather forecast regularly.
• Store items in your vehicle that you may need in an emergency such as: food, water, gloves, boots, flashlight, batteries, blanket, medication, road flares, first aid kit window scraper/brush, jumper cables, emergency cash, small shovel, bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction.
• If your vehicle skids, push down hard on the brakes if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) or pump the pedal if you do not have ABS.
• Watch for black ice, especially on bridges, off-ramps, and shady areas.
• Slow down ahead of curves and intersections.
• If you become stranded or stuck:
  • Try turning your wheels from side to side to push snow out of the way to get out of the snow.
  • If you cannot get your vehicle out of snow, or if you become stranded for another reason, stay in your vehicle and call 9-1-1 or signal to other motorists that you are stranded using flares, a flashlight, or a bright cloth tied to your antenna.
  • Make sure to clear snow from your tailpipe to prevent carbon monoxide build-up inside your vehicle.

• If your heat goes out, run water at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Store flashlight and portable radio with batteries, canned food, and manual opener, water, and lots of blankets for emergencies.
• Perishable food can be stored outside in the snow or in an unheated garage.
• Clean hallways and doorways so that exits are easily accessible.
• Have your heater, furnace, and/or chimney checked and cleaned each winter.
• Remember to open the chimney flue before starting a fire in your fireplace.
• Place space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable objects.

In cold weather, the possibility that water pipes and meters can freeze and burst increases, causing damage to properties and disrupting the lives of residents. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Below are steps residents can take to prevent frozen water pipes and meters:

• Be prepared:
  • Find the master shutoff valve. It may be near the water heater, washing machine, or where the water service pipe enters the house from the street. If a pipe bursts anywhere in the house, this valve will turn the water flow off. Make sure everyone in the residence knows where this valve is located and how to operate it.
  • Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
  • Have a licensed plumber's number handy, in case of an unexpected emergency.
    
    
• What to do if your water line freezes:
  • Keep faucets open. As you treat frozen pipes and the frozen areas begin to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
  • Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, electric hair dryer, heat tape, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. 
  • Do NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame device. Make sure the heating pad, hair dryer or other electrical devices does not come into contact with water.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to determine if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may also freeze.
  • Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
  • When thawing pipes, be mindful that the pipe may already be broken and may start to leak once the pipe begins to thaw. Be ready to turn the water off using the shutoff valve.
  • If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible or if you can’t thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
    
    
• Tips to avoid frozen pipes
  • Insulate pipes that are located in cold and drafty places in the home.
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach water pipes.
  • Some customers choose to run cold water faucets constantly.  This may help if your service has a history of freezing.
  • Maintain heat at 55 degrees minimum (including in the basement).
  • Avoid drafts where the water meter and exposed pipes are located.
  • Remove, drain and carefully store hoses used outdoors. 
  • Shut off outside faucets from inside and drain the faucets.

Please note that it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the area around the water meter is kept open, warm, and dry.  The cost to replace a meter or repair pipes that are damaged from freezing or bursting is the customer’s responsibility.