As Salt Runs Low, Naperville Modifies Snow Operation

As the region suffers from a salt shortage following extreme weather conditions in recent weeks, the city of Naperville has implemented a salt conservation plan, according to a city of Naperville press release. 

So far this year, the city has responded to 31 winter events and spread 16,000 tons of salt. In comparison, at the end of January last year, the city had only responded to seven winter events and spread 4,300 tons of salt. 

The Department of Public Works will begin supplementing the salt supply by mixing in sand for application on secondary roadways. Currently, primary roadways will continue to be salted.

As a result of this change, drivers may experience some snow-packed roadways within neighborhoods and should adjust their speed to accommodate these conditions. Drivers are reminded to slow down, use caution and leave extra space between vehicles when driving in winter conditions.

The city has established a priority plowing system for approximately 1,500 lane miles so that main traffic routes and thoroughfares are plowed first. Here is a look at how Naperville will plow its roads: 

• Primary streets which include main streets, roads through subdivisions, roads that link arterial roads, and streets with schools will be plowed and salted. 

• Secondary streets, which include residential streets as well as cul-de-sacs with 16 or more homes whose driveways are located on the cul-de-sac, will be plowed but will only receive the salt/sand mix on hills, curves and controlled intersections. 
• Cul-de-sacs with less than 16 homes and alleys will be plowed; however, they will only be salted if absolutely necessary. 

• Parking lots in the downtown, at the train stations, and at City buildings will be plowed, and only the drive aisles will be salted. Sidewalks and the train station platforms will continue to be cleared and salted.  

For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville’s projects and initiatives via email at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx. To sign up for the City’s new notification system Naper Notify and receive important emergency and community information via a phone call, text message, email or smart phone app, visit www.napernotify.com.

Source: City of Naperville press release