Snow Removal in the Town of Blacksburg

As snow falls across our community this winter, here are some key things to know about snow removal.

Property owners and/or Tenants Must Clear Sidewalks

Shoveling your sidewalk is a great way to help pedestrians and be a good neighbor. When sidewalks are left unshoveled, ice accumulates and walking becomes hazardous. 

Within twenty-four (24) hours after a snowfall, each property owner must remove the snow from the paved sidewalk in front of his or her property. If the property is rented, the tenant must remove the snow. Town Code Section 21-112. Property owners can be cited for not complying, although that would not be the town’s preference.    

If you are not physically able to shovel snow from your driveway or sidewalks, the town may be able to connect you with volunteer or commercial resources. Contact the Housing and Community Connections Office for advice. (540) 443-1610. Alternatively, if you are in good health and your neighbor could use some help, please consider lending them a hand.

The New River Valley Time Bank (https://nrv.timebanks.org/) is also a great organization to join for assistance with snow removal.

Always Play it Safe When Shoveling

• Pay attention to how you’re feeling, while shoveling. If you begin to feel discomfort in your chest or similar signs of heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away.
  
  
• If you have a history of heart disease do not shovel without your doctor’s approval.
  
  
• Take breaks while shoveling, especially if you are usually inactive.
  
  
• Shovel small amounts of snow at a time. Push the snow instead of lifting, where possible.

Snow Plows and Your Driveway

Plowing can cause snow to accumulate in roadside gutters, and along the shoulders of the road. At times, driveways also become blocked, despite the best efforts of our snow removal crews. Here are a few things you can do that might help.

• Snow should be shoveled or plowed to the right side of the driveway as you are facing the intersecting roadway. By piling the snow away from the oncoming direction of the snow plows, the snow will not be pushed back onto the driveway.
• Eliminate snow piles at the property entrance whenever possible. High accumulations of snow can obstruct the vision of motorists, posing a safety hazard. 
• Do not push snow onto roadways at any time. This creates a hazardous condition for all vehicles. Check out this video from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Snow Plows vs Clear Sidewalks

Snow plow operators are trained to avoid plowing snow back onto cleared sidewalks if possible. At night, it can be difficult to identify which sections of the sidewalk have been cleared. Mistakes happen, but every effort is made to avoid areas that have already been cleared. The expectation is that our drivers clear the street from curb to curb, especially in areas with on-street parking.

Parking on the Street

• If at all possible, parking on the street is not advised during a snow event. When it snows one inch or more, the Blacksburg Police Department may regulate parking on town streets and town owned properties until the snow is removed. Advance notification will be posted, but any parked vehicle interfering with the snow removal process could be towed. 
• If Main Street between College Avenue and Airport Road is declared a snow emergency route, parking will be prohibited for a period of time until the snow has been cleared. Anyone who parks a vehicle or allows a vehicle in their custody to be parked in a restricted area will be responsible for the towing expenses. Section 12-406 of the Town Code.

Town Crews Plow Snow in this Order

1. Arterial Roads - These are the main roads in town that are not plowed by VDOT. This includes Main Street, Patrick Henry Drive, Prices Fork Road, Toms Creek Road, Harding Avenue, and East Roanoke Street to Owens Street.  
2. Blacksburg Transit bus routes
   1. Bus stops - BT hires contractors clear snow from approximately 50 bus stops that are heavily used and have shelters. The majority of bus stops, however, have no amenities other than the sidewalk. In that instance, the responsibility of clearing snow remains the property owners, per the town code.
3. Collector Roads -These are the main roads that lead to the neighborhood roads. Examples of collector roads are Airport Road, Clay Street, Country Club Drive, and Progress Street. These roads will not be cleared until the main roads and bus routes are cleared.
4. Neighborhood Streets

Virginia Tech Roads and Parking Lots

Virginia Tech has over 300 staff dedicated to snow removal each winter. These individuals plow all of the roads on campus, with VDOT as a backup in the event of equipment failure or other unexpected circumstances. 

Virginia Tech parking lots are cleared by university-hired contractors, but for light snows, the University will plow the drive aisles.  Virginia Tech Foundation is responsible for snow removal on their properties.

Snow Removal on State Roads

The Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for snow removal from all state roads. VDOT Snow Removal Preparation, Procedures. (PDF)

Did you know?

In addition to clearing snow from all of Blacksburg’s public streets, the Public Works Department also plows many other areas around town.  This includes parking lots of all town facilities, many of our most heavily used trails, parks, downtown seating areas and plazas, more.  Town snow removal crews typically work 12 hour days, so if you see them around please thank them, it will put a smile on their face.