PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Township Snow Management Plan

Winter Snow Removal Plan

Upper Merion Township recognizes the importance of snow removal, not only to residents, but to everyone who needs to travel to or through our community. The Township utilizes a “Snow Management Plan” to safely clear all Public Roads within the Township quickly and efficiently. Based on traffic flow, roads are divided into primary (main), secondary (collector and through), and tertiary (dead-end and cul-de-sac) roads.

Our Goal is to have all Township roads clear within 18-24 hours after snow has STOPPED FALLING. This Plan, with your cooperation, will ensure the best use of time, Township resources, equipment and manpower during snow removal and emergencies. This publication is designed to detail that Plan and its regulations, and to guide residents and businesses during a winter storm.

When a Snow Emergency has been declared, the Township activates its Emergency Operations Center at the Township Building. The Center is staffed by Township employees who are in contact with all snow removal crews. They update the list of cleared streets as crews report them plowed.

For the latest updates on the Township's street salting and plowing efforts in response to winter storms, click here.

If you have a question regarding the snow emergency operations, please call the Township Snow Emergency Desk (Snow Phone) at 610-279-0313. If you have an emergency, please dial 911.

UMGA - TV: Comcast Cable Channel 22

The Township's Government Access Channel broadcasts regular updates on the progress of snow removal operations during Snow Emergencies. These public service announcements can begin as early as 6:00am and will continue throughout the emergency period.

• Snow Conditions Update
• Listing of plowed streets
• Road conditions
• School and business closings
• General guidelines regarding the Township’s Snow Management Plan

On declared Snow Emergency Days, UMGA's "Live Snow Conditions Updates" will air at:

• 7:00 am
• 12:00 noon
• 4:00 pm
• 9:00 pm

Primary Roads

The following list includes all streets designated as primary streets/emergency routes. All other streets are either considered secondary (collector and through) streets or tertiary streets (if they are dead-ends or cull-de-sacs.) Remember that no parking is permitted on primary “Snow Emergency Routes” (listed below) or in cull-de-sacs during declared snow emergencies.

*State roadways plowed by the Township.
**Plowed by PennDOT, NOT Upper Merion Township.
(includes I-76, Rt. 422, and the PA Turnpike.)

Snow Plowing Begins
A Snow Emergency is Declared

• The Public Works Department begins plowing roads when it is determined that at least 2 inches of snow can be measured on the road. Plows are ineffective in smaller amounts of snow.
• With the start of plowing, the Township Manager, Chief of Police or Director of Public Works declares a Snow Emergency.
• During a Snow Emergency, parking is prohibited on all roads designated as Snow Emergency Routes. Parking is also prohibited on all cul-de-sacs during a storm until the snow is cleared.
• Plowing crews are linked with the Township via two-way radios to assist police, fire, and ambulance personnel with emergency situations.
• The Public Works Department plows 376 streets consisting of 83 miles of Township roads and 37 miles of state roads during snow storms.

Plowing

• The first priority is to clear all primary (main) roads, including bus routes. This work generally takes six (6) to eight (8) hours after snow stops falling.
• Crews begin plowing secondary roads after clearing and opening all primary roads. These collector and through roads are usually cleared within 12 to 16 hours AFTER snow stops falling.
• Crews then move on to side roads, dead-ends and cul-de-sacs.
• Upper Merion has over 127 side streets; so, please be patient.
• Vehicles parked on Snow Emergency Routes will be towed at the owner’s expense.
• Trees must maintain a clearance of 11 feet near curbline to allow plow equipment to pass.

During severe storms, crews need to make multiple passes on primary roads. These primary roads are the most heavily traveled roads in the Township and must be cleared and opened first to allow for the passage of emergency and general traffic. Plowing primary roads may have to continue until after the snow stops falling.

The Township’s secondary roads and side streets are divided into ten route areas so that snow plowing can be accomplished as quickly and efficiently as possible. Crews rotate the starting point after each new storm to ensure that all areas receive equal treatment during the snow removal season.

Crews attempt to clear all streets to the curb-line during snow removal. This may not be possible for properties with trees whose branches hang over the street (providing a clearance of less than 11 feet) or where mailboxes extend beyond the curb.

Snow Emergency Regulations

• Vehicles are prohibited from parking on primary roads - those designated as Snow Emergency Routes. Residents are also advised to remove vehicles from these routes as soon as the snow begins to fall.
• Vehicles are prohibited from parking in cul-de-sacs or hanging over onto roads from driveways until the snow is cleared.
• Please keep all vehicles in private driveways, if possible.
• All-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles may only be operated for emergency uses on Township roads during a declared Snow Emergency. They may be operated on private property with permission.

Shoveling

• Do not clear sidewalks until plowing equipment HAS PASSED, or your hard work may be for nothing.
• Throwing, shoveling or plowing snow from sidewalks or driveways into the street is strictly prohibited by Township Ordinance No. 137.1.
• 2-foot wide path of sidewalk must be cleared by the abutting property owner within 24 hours after snow stops falling. (Ordinances 137.2 and 137.5) If more than 12 inches of snow falls, the time limit is extended to 48 hours.
• Commercial Parking Lots - Dumping snow or ice onto Township property or streets, or plowing snow across a street is strictly prohibited. The offense is punishable by civil action, with a fine of up to $1,000.