I have highlighted in yellow the Arterial State Roads and other Township owned Collector Streets (the main streets) that are actively being plowed while it is snowing.   Commuters rely on our passable/plowed and salted main streets to get to their jobs safely.  More importantly, the main streets need to be passable to allow emergency vehicles to safely respond to calls.  Plymouth Township Public Works has approximately 26 vehicles equipped with plows and about 12 vehicles capable of spreading salt.  Plymouth Township is contracted by PennDOT to plow the State roads in our Township.   90% of the highlighted roads on the map are State roads.  Some residents ask why isn’t my neighborhood plowed yet?  The simple answer is we are keeping the main streets open while it is still snowing.  If we pulled off the State roads to plow neighborhoods while it was actively snowing the main roads would become snow covered and dangerous, usually causing gridlock.  Plymouth Township, plows 44 lane miles for PennDOT and plows an additional 96 lane miles of Township owned roads.  This number is deceiving.  To clear the snow on an average street width of 30 feet by 1 mile long from curb to curb, in reality takes about 6 passes of our snow plow to clear. It also takes much time to push the corners back so cars can safely turn onto roads.  The average snow storm of 4-6 inches usually lasts 10-12-hours.  During the active snowfall we are out salting our roads and plowing the mains. When it stops snowing we plow another 10-12 hours in the neighborhoods. The deeper the snow, the longer it takes.  During the early February storm our Public Works crew worked  from Sunday until Tuesday, with few breaks.

Many of us, after working all of these long hours, go home and have to dig out our driveway apron’s too.  Just part of the process.  Our men always appreciate your wave and understanding when they get to your street to plow.

Stay safe!

Thank you,

Chris Loschiavo

Director of Public Works