The city of Indianapolis is rolling out a new snow removal policy that aims to address concerns from residents after their streets went unplowed following a winter storm last year.
Get the backstory
In January 2024, after a winter storm dumped about 8 inches of snow in Marion County, the Department of Public Works decided not to plow residential streets, frustrating residents as well as members of City-County Council. At the time, DPW officials defended their decision, but councilors called for a change in policy. That was approved by the city’s Board of Public Works earlier this week.
Meteorologists are predicting a chance of snow late Friday evening, possibly changing to a wintry mix Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday.
With that in mind, here’s a refresher on how the city plans to handle snow removal going forward.
When can I expect my street to be plowed?
The new policy places roads into three categories: Thoroughfares, connectors and residential streets.
Major thoroughfares and streets next to hospitals and fire stations are given first priority. These include Washington Street, Emerson Avenue and Fall Creek Parkway, among others. These roads will get plowed in any event involving snow accumulation.
Connector streets are those that link these thoroughfares with less-traveled roadways, like Southeastern Avenue, Mitthoeffer Road and Ditch Road. They will get cleared when snow totals exceed 2 inches.
Residential streets won’t get plowed until accumulation totals reach 4 inches or more. Once that threshold is reached, Indy DPW will communicate with the chair of the council’s Public Works Committee on whether contractors will be called out.
- Residential streets would receive a single, centerline pass by contractors, except in areas managed by HOAs, where streets are privately maintained.
- Other factors, like changes in temperature and wind conditions, will play a role in the department’s decision of whether or not to deploy contractors.
Will trails and bike paths be plowed?
Yes. These trails and bike lanes will be plowed when snow totals reach or exceed 2 inches:
- Monon Trail
- Fall Creek Trail
- Nickel Plate Trail
- Pennsy Trail
- B&O Trail
- Unprotected bike lanes
Once those areas are cleared, DPW will plow protected bike lanes downtown, followed by all remaining protected bike lanes in the city.
Do I need to clear my sidewalk?
Yes, residents are responsible for keeping their sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
To do this, make a clear 5-foot-wide path along all sidewalks around your property, being careful not to push snow into the street or pile it around fire hydrants.
If the snow stops falling after 7 p.m., the sidewalk must be clear by 9 a.m. the following morning. If the snow stops falling after 9 a.m., the sidewalk should be accessible by 7 p.m.
Failure to do so could result in a $50 fine.
You should also keep the area around your mailbox clear for your mail carrier.
For mail delivered on the curb, clear 15 feet on the front, left, and right sides of your mailbox to allow the mail carrier to drive as close to it as possible.
How many people will be deployed during a storm?
Indy DPW will have 70 drivers on the road at any given time, along with 15 laborers and nine heavy equipment operators to handle salt and load trucks. Drivers work in 12-hour shifts.
To ensure that the department doesn’t encounter driver shortages, union staff aren’t allowed to take vacation time from December through the end of March.
How can I stay informed during a winter weather event?
During a storm, Indy DPW sends out press releases and posts updates on its social media channels to keep residents informed.
Indy DPW’s winter weather preparedness page describes the city’s snow removal policy in greater detail.
You can check the status of all streets plowed by the city using the Indy Snow Force Viewer.
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Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
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