Aurora releases snow removal procedures

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The snow removal team will respond with equipment within 2 hours once the snow accumulations reach 2 inches or after Aurora Military Housing contacts the contractor. Snow removal will be conducted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. so that quiet hours are not compromised. 

The contractor will first push the snow into the middle of the road, leaving cut outs so traffic can cross over, and then push the snow into piles, sometimes located at the end of the cul-de-sac, before being hauled off to a larger, permanent snow storage site.

Moose crossing is different in that there are many smaller snow storage sites, located near overflow parking, which are left in place throughout the winter. Please do not allow children to play on or near the snow piles or any areas where snow removal is conducted due to the dangers of heavy equipment.

There are several levels of priority assigned for snow removal within housing. 

* Priority 1: GOQ, SOQ, and Quesada areas, high-use side walks, and streets in front of any handicap unit which uses public transportation to gain access to that unit. These areas will be cleared within eight hours and maintained within standards at all times during snow and ice conditions. 

* Priority 2: all other roadways in housing to the curb/gutter. These areas will be cleared within 24 hours and repeatedly thereafter on a rotating 12-hour basis. 

* Priority 3a: other areas subject to vehicular traffic, such as overflow or visitor parking areas. These areas will be cleared within 24 hours and repeatedly thereafter on a rotating 24-hours basis. 

* Priority 3b: lower priority pedestrian areas such as sidewalks not accessible from the street and playground areas, and areas that include clean up after plowing process. These areas will be cleared within 48 hours and are repeated when higher priority area -requirements have been met and time permits.

The contractor will be making every effort to provide same day pick-up (pending weather conditions) of wind rows formed in the center of roadways in housing resulting from the snow plowing operation. If clearing of the wind rows is not possible, the contractor will provide efficient cut-outs along the wind rows to allow residents access to their homes. This will allow for quicker and safer vehicle flow patterns, while reducing tenant inconveniences.

Sanding is performed within housing when it is apparent that vehicle-braking on any traffic surface has been reduced (4 times the distance or 26 percent is the test limit) or when traffic surfaces are wet or snow covered and ground temperatures are below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and falling.

Tenants are responsible within 24 hours of the snowfall for the removal of snow and ice from driveways, all sidewalks, decks, porches, fire hydrants located in their yards, and snow/ice left along side or around vehicles. This includes all vehicles parked on the streets. Aurora allows the snow from driveways to be pushed into the street for the equipment to remove; however, it must be done prior to the contractor snow equipment coming through the subdivision. Snow pushed into the streets prior to the snow equipment entering the housing area, must not be left in piles, or mounds that impede traffic. Aurora housing residents must not push snow into the streets after contractor snow removal has been performed. 

For more information or for snow removal questions, call 753-1051/1091.