Village Snow Removal Plan
The Public Works Department begins snow removal operations by clearing all major arterial streets, the Police, Fire and Township Hall parking lots and the Train Platform. Major arterial streets are Barrypoint, Burling, Riverside Road, Lionel, Delaplaine, East Quincy, Cowley, southbound Harlem, Golf, Ridgewood, Forest, West Avenue, East Avenue, Pine, Woodside, DesPlaines, eastbound 26th Street, eastbound 31st Street, Longcommon and East Burlington. Secondary streets and sidewalks in the immediate vicinity of schools and all other parking lots are next. Cul-de-sacs, alleys and remaining sidewalks follow.
Plow drivers will not begin plowing secondary streets until all major arterial roads are cleared. The Department divides the Village into three approximately equal sections with a plow truck and operator assigned to a specific section. Plow truck drivers work together to clear the major arterials, then disburse to their assigned sections. Depending on the size and nature of a snow event, it may take 3 to 4 hours after the last snowflake has fallen for snow removal operations to be completed.
Snow on Driveway Aprons
No one likes removing snow from the driveway apron only to have the snow plow pass by and push the snow back onto the apron. The Village recommends waiting to remove snow from the driveway apron until the roads have been plowed from curb to curb. There are over 3,300 driveways in the Village and there is not enough equipment and personnel to clear snow from driveway aprons. Please do not push snow from driveways out into the street as this can cause hazardous driving conditions. Depositing snow and ice from private premises on any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway, park or public place in the Village is prohibited.
Fire Hydrants
Please do not pile snow on the parkway near a fire hydrant. Keep fire hydrants near your property clear of snow. This will greatly help firefighters in the event of an emergency.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
Although the Village does not have an ordinance mandating that snow be removed from public walks, please be a good neighbor and clear the public sidewalk in front of your property. Doing so helps keep Riverside a walkable community. Clear sidewalks help ensure students walking to and from our local schools and commuters walking to and from the Metra station have a safe passage.
Refuse Collection
Refuse collection can be more difficult during the winter months when there is snow on the ground. The Village respectfully requests that all refuse and recycling containers be placed on the driveway apron or parkway adjacent to the street. Please do not put containers in the street as this can create a hazard for drivers and makes snow plowing less efficient.
Assistance with Snow Removal
Riverside is a tight-knit community, so it is encouraged that able residents look out for their neighbors who may need help with snow removal and offer assistance if possible.
Environmental Impact
The Illinois Pollution Control Board has mandated a reduction of salt use by municipalities. The Public Works Department has taken steps to reduce the amount of rock salt used by applying a salt brine solution to major arterial streets in advance of a forecasted snow fall. The brine helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement which results in faster snow removal and reduces the amount of overall rock salt usage. Salt levels in the Des Plaines River watershed spike dramatically during the winter months, degrading the aquatic environment and salt has a generally corrosive effect throughout the natural and man-made environment.