Snow Removal Routes

Goto Map Below

The City of New Haven is issuing a reminder to residents about the City’s winter weather and snow removal plan.

Keeping the priority one streets clear remains the focus for City street crews in a snowstorm. The Public Works Department has split the town into two evenly divided sections, east and west half. The priority one streets or snow routes on the east half are Miller, Wall, Maupin, and Olivia Court, while the west half is comprised of Douglas, McNair (paved section of west end), Sunset and Olive. Keeping the City’s many hills passable is the second priority and the third priority is the less hilly sections as well as lower populated areas.

Crews generally apply salt to the streets, and especially the hillsides, in advance of a winter storm. This helps keep the streets passable during the onset of a storm. Once the storm starts, priority one streets are the main focus. In the event of a major storm, priority one streets are considered emergency routes. On the east side Miller is considered the main route, while on the west side Sunset and Olive are top priority. Residents are asked to remove vehicles from these streets so snowplows can keep both lanes of traffic open.

Keeping the City’s many hills passable is a challenge in any winter weather event. The hill on Locust Street between Maupin and Olive (Baptist Hill) is a special challenge. Residents are asked to avoid driving this section during any snow or ice event. Residents should take caution on all the hills in town and if possible, try to avoid driving them when snow covered.

Snow removal crews generally have streets clear within a couple hours of a storm passing. Ideally, drivers can stay off the streets during a storm, when road conditions are at their worst. However, if you must drive, priority one streets should be your best bet to get in and out of town.

Crews work on the priority two streets as soon as the main streets are cleared. The hilly sections of priority two streets take priority over the less hilly sections. Priority three streets are the last to be cleared. Crews do take into consideration other factors and may have to deviate from the order of snow the routes at times. Factors that come into play are dismissal of area schools, shift changes at factories and access to businesses during peak business hours.

Crews clear streets one lane at a time, in each direction. Once the main lanes are cleared crews return to blade back to the curb. Removing parked vehicles is recommended in any snow event, but is especially helpful when crews work to blade to the curb. While the City rarely tows a parked vehicle, City crews do have the authority to move a vehicle if it is creating a traffic hazard, or in an emergency.

A common complaint from residents is snowplows which have bladed a driveway shut. One way to minimize this is to shovel snow to the left of the driveway, as you’re facing your house. In the event of a high accumulation of snow, crews do return to assist residents in removal of excess snow piles. Keeping vehicles off the street will help in this instance as well.

There are many tricky spots in town during winter weather, but snowplow drivers say some of the worst include Olivia Court, Wall, Locust between Maupin and Olive, Locust between Morgan and Olive, the curve in the 700 block of Douglas, the curve in the 700 block of Sunset, and Bates between Miller and Maupin (tumbledown alley).

In summary residents are asked to be patient during a snowstorm, and if at all possible to stay off the streets and give crews time to work. If there is an emergency please contact the police department, and they will notify public works. For non-emergency calls, between 8am and 4:30pm, please contact City Hall at 573-500-2530. After hours, call Public Works at 573-500-2531.

Red = Priority 1 Streets; Pink = Priority 2 Streets; Green = Priority 3 Streets - List of Street Names Below Map