New Syracuse Snow Safety Web Page includes GPS-Powered Snow Plow Map

City completing discussions with sidewalk snow clearance contractors

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The city of Syracuse has launched a new snow safety web page to provide information about how the City prepares for and responds to snow events, how to track and report snow clearance on streets and sidewalks, and responsibilities of city residents during snow events. It is located on the City’s website under the “Living” tab and at syrgov.net/snowsafety.html.

The web page includes a map that provides near real-time updates on plow locations and progress; guidance on how and where residents can report concerns; and information about the City’s snow removal operations, parking enforcement, and sidewalk snow clearance ordinances. The City also continued its “Snow Issues Tracker,” an online tool that allows residents to report un-shoveled sidewalks and illegally parked cars.

“Peopleneed easily accessible information on the City’s snow clearance process and progress. It’s also important that we all understand our own roles and responsibilities as citizens. All of these factors contribute to everyone’s safety during and after a snow event,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “We are constantly evaluating and adjusting our snow operations to decrease the time and increase the quality of our snow clearance. We have more work to do, but this is another step in our continuous effort to improve our snow removal process.”

The City is continuing discussions with potential contractors to provide supplementary sidewalk snow clearing services. The City hopes to have a selection made by mid-December with implementation of the program beginning as soon as possible after the selection. In September, the City announced a pilot program for municipal sidewalk snow removal. Under the program, the City will clear snow from sidewalks on about 20 miles of city streets, or approximately 40 total miles of sidewalk, that see high vehicular and pedestrian activity. 

The announcement came during a presentation to the Syracuse Common Council Public Works Committee on snow safety plans for winter 2018-19. Other areas the City identified to continue and improve included: data collection; parking enforcement; snow safety public information; plow operations; private plow operator licenses; and recreation.