City of Hays
With winter weather in the forecast, the city of Hays Public Works Department has begun preparations to keep the city moving.
Crews are currently pre-treating and loading sand spreaders in anticipation of the incoming system.
Understanding the Plan
The city of Hays utilizes a tiered response system. Residents should be aware that Emergency Snow Routes are the first priority.
"If you see a truck out today, they are likely prepping the surface," said Jesse Rohr, public works director. "Pre-treatment helps prevent the ice from freezing directly to the asphalt, making it easier to scrape off later."
Resident Responsibilities Before the Storm
· Check the Map: Verify if your home is on an Emergency Snow Route. Maps are available at https://www.haysusa.com/402/Snow-Route-Information. If you are located on a snow route, please locate an alternate site to park vehicles off the street. By city ordinance, if a winter storm traffic emergency is declared and vehicles are not moved, the vehicles will be towed away at the owner's expense.
· Off-Street Parking: The city strongly encourages all residents to park off-street if possible. This allows plows to clear curb-to-curb, preventing the "tunnel effect" on narrow streets.
"The most helpful thing a resident can do right now is check their tire tread and plan for off-street parking," Rohr said. "Helping our plow drivers helps the whole city get back to normal faster."
Understanding the Strategy: Why Residential Streets Are Treated Differently
A frequent question from residents is why major arterials are cleared "curb-to-curb" while residential side streets are left unplowed.
The decision to leave residential streets unplowed in all but the most severe events is a strategic one, centered on resident access and resource management.
Avoiding the "Driveway Trap"
The primary logistical challenge on residential streets is snow storage. When a plow passes down a street, the snow is displaced to the side, forming a ridge known as a windrow.
On wide arterial roads, this snow is pushed to the shoulder.
However, on residential streets, this snow is inevitably pushed across private driveways.
"If we were to plow every residential street for a standard 3-inch snowfall, we would create a 12-to-18-inch ridge of heavy, compacted snow across the end of every single driveway in town," Rohr said. "This often traps residents, particularly the elderly or those without heavy snow blowers, in their homes. Leaving the snow to be packed down by traffic is often less disruptive to residents than blocking their driveways with plow debris."
Exceptions to the Rule
The city of Hays monitors road conditions continuously.
In the event of catastrophic accumulation, where snow depths render standard passenger vehicles inoperable, the city may declare a special operation to open residential lanes.
However, for typical winter events, residents should expect side streets to remain snow-packed.
Residents are encouraged to drive with caution on untreated surfaces and to schedule travel on major routes whenever possible.