LTU Outlines Plans to Battle Icy Streets During Subzero Weather

Published on January 16, 2024

City announces Snow Removal District Parking Ban effective January 17, 18, 19 

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) Director Liz Elliott today said crews continue to address icy streets caused by subzero temperatures following two winter storms that left nearly 9 inches of snow in Lincoln.  

“Crews are out treating arterial streets, school, and bus routes with granular salt pre-wet with brine today to help de-bond snowpacks and ice from Lincoln’s streets. Overnight, our team will focus on clearing out large piles of snow in business districts. We are making progress and are already starting to see some de-bonding of ice on portions of arterial streets with the higher temperatures today,” Elliott said. 

LTU winter operations crews are applying granular salt pre-wet with brine while responding to service requests on arterial and residential streets that may have been missed, need cleanup due to drifting snow, or need additional material applied on icy areas. Winter operations crews will plow residential streets a second time on Wednesday, January 17. No residential parking bans are scheduled.  

The City of Lincoln today announced a snow removal parking ban effective Wednesday, January 17, Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19. The ban will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Parking is banned on both sides of the street, including metered stalls, in areas designated as snow removal districts listed below. Snowplow crews will plow snow within business districts into rows, load into trucks and haul out of the area overnight. To assist with snow removal, parking is prohibited on both sides of the streets in the districts. Maps can be found at lincoln.ne.gov/snow.  

Snow removal districts include: 

  • Downtown 
  • University Place  
  • Havelock 
  • Bethany 
  • College View 
  • 11th and “G” 
  • 17th and Washington 
  • 25th and Sumner 

To assist downtown residents during parking bans, free parking is offered from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. from January 16 to January 19 at Center Park Garage, 1100 “N” St. and Green 2 Garage, 530 “P” St. Customers will be charged the posted rate for any time beyond those hours. Vehicles that remain in the garage past noon will be charged for the entire time the vehicle was in the facility. 

Elliott said winter operations teams were proactive in applying brine and granular salt mixed with brine on arterial streets, bridges, and other known trouble spots throughout the two storms last week to help prevent some snowpack and ice. She said due to negative degree temperatures and wind chills 20 to 50 degrees below zero, the material became ineffective and de-bonding of snowpacks and ice saw minimal progress. 

LTU reminds residents on the effectiveness of salt and sand during extreme cold weather: 

  • Salt and brine: Rock salt alone is only effective when temperatures are above 15 degrees. Brine may be used once temperatures reach negative single digits, depending on wind chills, time of day, and if the sun is out. The City of Lincoln’s Winter Operations Program does not apply brine and granular salt to all residential streets. 
  • Sand and gravel: Abrasives such as sand and gravel are quickly rendered ineffective, usually by being crushed into the snow or moved away from driving surfaces in as little as three vehicle passes. LTU limits use of sand to trouble spots reported by travelers and on bridges. 

Residents who are unable to shovel or snow blow their property or sidewalks are encouraged to make plans with family members, friends, or neighbors. The Snow Angels Program, a volunteer group who assist neighbors with shoveling/snow blowing their properties is also available. Additional volunteers are needed. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/SnowAngels to sign up and learn more. 

Elliott reminded residents to use the online Snowplow Tracker at lincoln.ne.gov/snow when considering making snow-related service requests. All snowfighting vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking devices. During winter storms, residents may do the following: 

  • Watch – Watch for the storm to end. Crews are better able to respond to resident service requests after a storm has passed and arterial and emergency streets have been serviced. 
  • Review – Review the Snowplow Tracker at lincoln.ne.gov/snow to monitor snowplowing progress. Please pause requests unless your service area is shaded in dark green, which means it has been serviced, inspected and approved. If your service area is not shaded in dark green, crews are still plowing and may solve your issue soon. 
  • Request – Make a service request. Please submit requests to UPLNK.lincoln.ne.gov if your service area is shaded in dark green but requires additional attention. 

Residents should be prepared for severe weather conditions. Tips and reminders include: 

  • Stock vehicles with winter roadside kits that include ice melt, small shovel, flashlight, blankets and handwarmers. 
  • If your vehicle becomes stuck on ice/snow, stay with the vehicle until it can be moved. 
  • If it is not safe to stay with your vehicle, call the Lincoln Police Department non-emergency number at 402-441-6000. 
  • Wait to file police reports if there is no urgency. 
  • If you have an emergency, dial 911 and officers will respond. 
  • Inspect your furnace and change filters. 
  • Replace batteries in fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 
  • Do not leave candles, fireplaces, and space heaters unattended. 
  • Remove a three-foot perimeter of snow from around fire hydrants. Please dig around the hydrant and shovel a path directly to it from the sidewalk and street. 

LTU Winter Operations information and updates will be shared through the media, on Facebook and Twitter, and through the City’s Winter Operation email updates. To sign up for emailed updates, and for more winter operations information, visit lincoln.ne.gov/snow. 

StarTran reminds residents to dress appropriately for outdoor conditions, wait eight feet back from the bus stop and street to avoid snow spray, and plan for potential route delays throughout the storm. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/StarTran for bus route information. 

Residents are encouraged track snowplow and winter storm operations at lincoln.ne.gov/snow and by following @LTULNK on X and @LTULincoln on Facebook. 

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