DelDOT makes changes in snow-removal program
The Snow Removal Reimbursement Program has changed this year, as Delaware Department of Transportation seeks to make the program more efficient and more beneficial for those civic associations using the program.
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Snow-removal Facts
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• Equipment: Statewide, there are 446 vehicles available for snow operations
• Prior to snow and ice events, the department pretreats the highways across the state with liquid salt brine from tankers to reduce bonding of the snow to the pavement at the beginning of the storm event • Materials: Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) applies salt and/or sand to road surfaces to prevent or reduce icing and to provide traction; DelDOT primarily uses salt, along with salt/brine and salt/sand mixtures • Approximately 65,000 tons of salt are stockpiled in more than 20 locations throughout the state • During significant snow or ice events, nearly 500 employees take part in snow-removal operations, and during particularly lengthy or difficult storms, private contractors, under contract with the department, may be called upon to assist with snow removal on bus routes, along highway shoulders and with clearing crossover areas and intersections • Each of DelDOT’s four maintenance districts has its own snow-removal plan. All roadways are divided into categories with primary/arterial roads and transit routes receiving first and continuous attention; only after the primary/arterial roads are open and passable will crews move to the secondary/collector and local roads • Passable means that roads can be driven upon, but are not necessarily clear of snow and ice • DelDOT maintains 89 percent of all roadways in Delaware; that equals approximately 12,900 total lane miles |
One of the changes to the program is the method by which snowfall is measured.
Previously, snow was measured over a small square of black asphalt. Starting this winter, however, snow will be measured over a white board, using procedures that closely mirror those of the National Weather Service.
In addition, six new automated snow-monitoring stations have been added to the system, bringing the total to 18 statewide. Additional monitoring locations will better represent snowfall totals across a geographic region. The stations are maintained and monitored by the University of Delaware.
As in previous years, when snowfall measurements reach 4 inches, those measurements will be posted on deldot.gov. Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will update snowfall totals every hour during daylight hours, and depending on the timing and severity of the storm, totals will be updated periodically during the evening hours.
Updates are also available by calling 800-652-5600.
New reimbursement rates
DelDOT is also increasing many of the rates paid to civic associations. These increased reimbursement rates will lessen the gap in the amount paid by civic associations to snow-removal contractors, reducing the association’s out-of-pocket expense.
The rate increases are in response to the requests of civic associations that pointed out that the fees paid to the contractors have risen dramatically in recent years. Through the program, civic associations are reimbursed for 75 percent of their snow-removal cost, or 75 percent of the amount that DelDOT calculates it would cost to have the roads cleared of snow, whichever is less.
To calculate the estimated cost of clearing the roads in subdivisions, DelDOT uses a system based on road miles and types of roads. Only civic associations with state-maintained streets are eligible for the program. Civic associations wishing to participate in the snow-removal reimbursement program should contact DelDOT to determine eligibility.
Last spring, many officers of civic associations said they would like a sample contract that they could use with the contractor that removes their snow. The civic association officers said they would like to see a sample contract that ties the amount paid to the contractor to the amount reimbursed by DelDOT. In response the requests from civic associations, DelDOT officials drafted a sample contract that civic associations may use when contracting with snow-removal contractors.
Source: Delaware Department of Transportation press release
