South Tidewater News

Hampton Roads, not typically associated with snowy conditions, is preparing for winter weather as the Chesapeake Public Works Department gears up for potential ice and snow challenges. Each November, over 100 team members from the department participate in Snow Equipment Inspection Day to evaluate trucks, snowplows, spreaders, and supplies like salt, sand, and brine solution. This annual inspection ensures personnel are well-trained and equipment is functioning properly.

The city's approach to treating roadways depends on the forecasted conditions. For dry starts, roads and bridges may be treated with a brine solution. However, if rain precedes snowfall, brine becomes ineffective; therefore, teams prioritize spreading salt on emergency routes before moving to other roads. Plowing operations commence when snow accumulation reaches about two inches.

Chesapeake's snow response follows a prioritized sequence aimed at maintaining city operations and ensuring public safety:

- Emergency Routes: These vital roads connect traffic to hospitals, interstates, nearby cities and provide essential north/south and east/west corridors throughout the city.

- Primary Routes: These high-volume roads serve as major travel paths that feed into Emergency Routes.

- Secondary and Connector Routes: These experience moderate to lower traffic levels and facilitate movement from neighborhoods to primary roads while offering important connections for travel and services.

Maps detailing these classifications are available on the City’s website at www.CityOfChesapeake.net/Snow under the Weather Emergencies page.

Residents often question why neighborhood streets are not included in the plowing or salting plan. With over 2,300 lane miles of roadway in Chesapeake, servicing residential areas would require at least 50 additional plow trucks and significant staffing increases. The tight geometries of neighborhoods also make plowing challenging. Consequently, a fiscally responsible plan was developed considering southeastern Virginia's typically infrequent winter weather.

Plowing begins only after two inches of snow have accumulated since plows are less effective with lighter snowfall and risk damage to both themselves and roadways. Trucks may sometimes be seen with their plows raised during various storm phases; this could indicate insufficient snow for plowing or mechanical issues requiring return trips to the garage.

For more information or inquiries regarding snow preparedness in Chesapeake:

City of Chesapeake

306 Cedar Road

Chesapeake, VA 23322

Phone: 757-382-2489