Highway Department

PLATTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ROADS SNOW REMOVAL PLAN AND POLICIES
The following snow removal plan covers the procedures that will be followed in the event of a winter snowstorm. Any of the operations may be altered by the Highway Superintendent or Road Foreman depending on weather conditions and/or emergencies.

Regular winter working hours between the months of November 1st and April 1st are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. , Monday through Friday. No overtime work will be performed on weekdays, weekends or holidays unless authorized by the Highway Superintendent or Road Foreman.

START UP PROCEDURES AND SNOW ROUTES
In the event of a snowstorm, the Highway Superintendent or Road Foreman will contact the operators as to when to proceed with plowing operations. All operators have a map of their area with emergency snow routes clearly marked. These routes will be strictly followed by priority and will not be deviated from for any reason other than an emergency. After the prioritized routes have been cleared, a systematic approach will be taken to clear the rest of the area, with school bus and mail routes taking priority.

Emergency Snow Removal Priority Route Maps
Snow removal priority route maps shall be mailed to all school districts and post offices that use county roads and an emergency snow removal priority route map will be placed in all county newspapers each fall to inform the public of the county’s priority snow removal routes.

Gravel Roads
During the months of September and October , clean road shoulders of weeds and gather excess gravel. During October and November move windrow excess gravel to the south on east-west roads and to the east on north-south roads. Clean around bridge approaches, farm driveways, intersections, and mail boxes; do not place windrow near bridges, farm driveways, intersections, or mail boxes. Cut waterways on long hills and at all the low areas so that when the snow melts the water doesn’t pond on the road. No operators or equipment will be dispatched for snow removal on gravel roads until at least three inches or more snow has accumulated. Snow and wind conditions will determine when plowing operations proceed due to poor visibility, safety conditions, snowfall per hour, etc. Snow removal will not proceed until visibility is no longer a problem. Maintain snowplow blade one inch above gravel road to keep from removing gravel off the road. Plow snow to the south edge of east-west roads and to the east edge of north-south roads whenever possible to prevent drifting if the wind is out of the northwest. Plow according to wind conditions. In a very heavy snow, plow both ways and leave snow windrow beyond the road shoulder so snow will melt away from the road and not on it. Open priority routes for one lane traffic before starting secondary routes. Do not widen large drifts until entire route has been cleared to at least one lane traffic. Motor grader operators are responsible for clearing intersections where gravel and pavement meet. Minimum maintenance roads will not be cleared unless there is an emergency.

Paved roads
Truck plows will be dispatched on all paved roads when one inch or more snow accumulation is received. Trucks will continue to remove snow from paved roads until snow becomes too deep for trucks to remove. If motor graders need to be used, tight blade paved roads to remove as much snow and ice as possible without harming the pavement surface. Plow snow out to a minimum of two feet beyond pavement edge, where possible, so snow will melt away from the road and not back on it causing ice conditions.

Salt and Sand Operations
Salt and sand application location maps are attached and have been distributed to employees. Additional locations may be sanded as required. The county will begin sanding operations when conditions require. Salt and sand will be applied on bridges and hazardous intersections. Salt and sand will not be applied when snowfall is so heavy that the material will be covered in a short period of time. Salt will be ordered in the month of July for August delivery and when delivered, will be moved immediately into the salt storage building. Salt and sand mix ratio is one ton of salt to six tons of sand.

Bridges
All snow will be removed from bridges as roads are cleared. DO NOT leave snow windrows along bridge rail. This creates a ramp condition which could cause a vehicle to jump the guardrail.

Remove snow beyond the bridge ends and guard rail 15 to 20 feet so snow will not melt back onto bridge causing ice conditions.

Snow Fence
It is county policy to purchase and install snow fence at the locations designated by the Highway Superintendent in accordance with State Statutes.

Special Circumstances
Rarely does the county receive the same amount of snow county-wide. Under these circumstances, employees and equipment will be moved from the least heavy snowfall area to concentrate on the hardest hit portions of the county. This will be done only upon authorization of the Highway Superintendent or Road Foreman. Under extreme heavy snowfall, the need for outside contractors may be required to assist in removing snow. The following contractors are to be contacted each fall for a written per hour cost quote for employees and equipment to be used in snow removal. A current “Certificate of Insurance” shall be obtained at this time.

Contractor A, _____________, NE Contractor B, _____________, NE

Contractor C, _____________, NE Contractor D, _____________, NE

Abandoned Vehicles/Stuck Motorists
The sheriff’s office will be notified when abandoned vehicles are found stuck in snowdrifts. The vehicle license number will be provided to the sheriff’s office so they can contact the owner. The sheriff’s office can make the determination as to calling a towing firm and billing the owner of the vehicle for towing services. Vehicles will only be removed from roadway or snowdrift by the county employee when the owner is present and able to attach chain or tow rope to the personal vehicle, after signing a release form. If the owner of vehicle is present and physically unable to attach chain or tow rope to the vehicle, the owner should approve means of attachment to the vehicle by the county employee.

The Sheriff, County Attorney , County Board and Highway Superintendent should all be involved to determine the policy on removing abandoned vehicles or assisting stuck motorists. The policy should then be included in the Road Department’s snow removal plan and policies.

Updates to the Platte County Department of Roads Snow Removal Plan and Policies will be made by the Platte County Board of Supervisors and the Platte County Highway Superintendent.

Equipment Operator II position

The Platte County Highway Department is currently accepting applications for an Equipment Operator II.  This a skilled fulltime position in the operation of light and heavy equipment and related automotive equipment.  Employee may perform general labor duties when not operating a truck or other equipment.  Applicants must have at least a Class “B” CDL license. This position is under the general operation of the Highway Superintendent or Department Foreman or designee.

Interested  persons shall submit a job application and a resume stating qualifications consistent with the written job description.  Job description and employment applications are available at and should be returned to the Highway Department Office, 2610 14th Street in Columbus, Nebraska .  (402) 563-4909.

• Starting Hourly Rate:  Negotiable based on experience.
• Regular Daytime Shift:  7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Workplace:  Based out of the Platte Co. Highway  Shop  at  31091 Hwy. 81, Platte Center, NE
• Closing Date:  Open until all positions filled.

Platte County is an Equal Opportunity Employer,  Drug Free Workplace and subject to Veteran’s preference.

Disabled persons requiring assistance with the application process may contact Jane L. Cromwell, Civil Rights Coordinator at the address and phone listed above.