What you could expect with snow clean up in Idaho Falls

Winter weather has found us again, some Idahoans saw a glimpse of it Thursday morning. Following last year’s winter weather, some Idaho Falls residents voiced their concerns about how the city was plowing the roads. In response, the city issued a Snow Removal Survey and held public meetings last spring.

The survey took place in March asking for the public’s thoughts on how snow removal should be done and how the city can better communicate the process.

They city council and directors reviewed more than 450 survey responses, as well as several emails and public comments. The city is now working on proposed changes to their policy.

The main issue gathered from those surveys was the piles of snow created by the snow plows that ended up blocking driveways and sidewalks. Another issue was the amount of snow removal residents expect and if the city can fulfill those expectations using the city’s current snow removal budget.

The budget for snow removal remains the same as of last years projections of $1.1 million.

One of the proposed changes to the Snow & Ice Removal policy includes pushing the snow onto the landscaped areas on the side of the main roads instead of pushing it to the center or picking it up and hauling it to another location.

City of Idaho Falls Public Works Director, Chris Fredericksen said the proposed changes would save the city in costs.

“By not picking up the snow on the main arterial road, the city would plow the residential areas more frequently, which is a request made by several citizens during the public comment period last spring,” Fredericksen said.

Fredericksen also added “We are also coming up with a more effective way in communicating snow removal periods when people must move their parked vehicles off streets, so they can be plowed.”

Another proposed change would be to eliminate the current practice of issuing a snow proclamation. Instead, when the city has a snow accumulation of greater than two inches the city would then begin snow plowing during that time.

The city is looking to launch their new website at the end of January or first of February. The new website will offer greater communication channels, including push alerts to notify people of snow removal periods and emergencies such as power outages.

Fredericksen hopes that people will take advantage of what the city is offering, “It’s simple. You just go to the new website when it’s up and sign up.”

The proposed changes will be discussed at the first City Council meeting in December. The new policies will also be published on the city’s website throughout the winter season.

“So when you wakeup in the morning and you see 2 inches of snow plan on moving your vehicles off the roads because plows will be coming through. And tune into your local media channels for snow removal alerts and updates,” Fredericksen said.

The City of Idaho Falls website is located at https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov.