Frequently Asked Questions

A snow emergency is declared after a snowfall of more than 3 inches. Plowing starts on the snow emergency routes first as a matter of public safety and then goes to secondary streets, side streets and residential areas.

There are numerous ways that individuals can help during a snow emergency. Check in on your neighbors and co-workers, especially the elderly or those with disabilities. Check to see if neighbors need assistance with groceries, clearing sidewalks, rides to work, etc. For everyone’s safety, stay off the streets unless it is absolutely essential for you to travel.

Yes you can; however doing so will restrict the snow plows from accessing all areas of the street so please assist with the snow removal effort by not parking vehicles on City streets whenever possible.  In addition, cul-de-sacs are nearly impossible to plow when vehicles are parked in them.

Local radio stations that may provide weather updates include WBGZ 1570 a.m. (Alton) and KMOX 1120 a.m. (St. Louis). In addition, the St. Louis area TV Stations do an excellent job in covering storm events. The National Weather Service of St. Louis is online and on Facebook and other social  media outlets and can provide up-to-date reports on conditions, too.

You may contact the Edwardsville Public Works Department at 692-7535 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They can provide useful information regarding local road conditions and can also help with any specific service request.

For everyone’s safety, residents are asked to only drive on city streets for essential travel as conditions permit.

Call 911 for emergencies. For less urgent public safety needs, please call the Edwardsville Police Department non-emergency number at 618-656-2131.

Snow should not remain on any sidewalk along any lot, house or building within the city for over a period of 24 hours. During major snow storms, officials will be lenient regarding enforcement of the snow removal ordinance, but sidewalks should be cleared as soon as possible. 

Listed below are the ordinances regarding snow removal:

• Section 74-114 - Removal from sidewalks abutting multifamily dwellings.
• Section 74-115 - Removal from sidewalks abutting businesses.
• Section 74-116 - Removal from private parking lots.
• Section 74-117 - Snow Deposits
• Section 74-118 - Failure to remove snow or ice
• Section 74-119 - Exemptions
• Section 74-120 - Removal in other areas

These ordinances can be found on the Municipal Code site.

Priority Number 1 & 2

Priority 1: The primary objective and first priority of the City of Edwardsville Street Department during a snow event is creating safe passage for first responders. Priority areas include but are not limited to: Emergency routes, primary traffic routes that are maintained by the City, all essential municipal and public facilities, and school zones. Priority Number 2: Serves higher traffic arterial and collector streets not categorized as Priority Number 1.

Priority Number 3 & 4

Priority 3: Residential areas, subdivisions and recreational areas. The City of Edwardsville makes every effort to clear all roads within 24 hours after snow has ceased. Priority Number 4: Cul-de-sacs and alleys are typically cleared last and will be addressed on an as-needed basis.

The City of Edwardsville has approximately 174 miles of roads within our corporate limits.  Total lane miles (length that gets plowed) come out to about 381.

Based on the frequency and number of snow events in a typical season, it is not economically feasible to own and maintain additional pieces of equipment that are designated for snow removal only. Our available equipment corresponds with the number of employees who are available for snow removal.

During the most extreme snow events, heavy construction equipment may be necessary to clear large amounts of snow or ice that has become hard packed to the roadway.

The City responds to all requests from the U.S. Postal Service and coordinates plowing in areas where mail carriers are having problems delivering the mail.