Snow Removal

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When a storm begins, day or night, Public Works crews are promptly mobilized and dispatched. The type of storm, anticipated accumulation, expected duration, and other variables such as wind, drifting and temperature dictate how our specific snow plowing operations will progress.

The snow removal process includes a prioritized implementation schedule in order to ensure public safety. It is imperative to clear main roads first to provide mobility and access for police, fire, and ambulatory activity. All Village-owned streets will be plowed, with main streets cleared first, followed by side streets and cul-de-sacs. View a map of snow removal roads in Snow Plowing Jurisdictions tab below.

To clear our roads as quickly as possible and keep them safe for travel, we need the cooperation of all our residents. Those with questions regarding snow removal can contact the Public Works Department at (708) 403-6350.

Snowplow Naming Contest

Snowplow

The snowplow naming contest will be run in four parts:

From September 23^rd through October 11^th, the public will be able to submit potential plow names. Based on the names submitted, the Village Board will vote for the top ten. For this year, the naming contest will be for the two largest plow trucks.
On October 21^st, the top ten snowplow names (as selected by the Board) will be announced.
Voting will take place from October 21^st through November 8^th.
The top two names will be announced on social media on November 13^th.

Mailbox Placement

Per Village Code:

Mailboxes: May be permitted in any front and side setbacks. Mailboxes damaged beyond repair by Village personnel or their agents in the performance of their duty shall be replaced by a standard 4 x 4 wood post and support and a standard metal type mailbox, model type 1C. Structures shall be no greater than 54" in height, 34" in width (parallel to the street), or 24" in depth. No mailbox structure base can be closer than 12" to the back of curb for the first 36" above grade. No mailbox or mailbox structure shall be permitted to contain any electrical or plumbing. Mailboxes shall be used only for the purposes of mail delivery. The bottom of the mailbox shall be 40" - 44" above the grade. The front of the mailbox shall be even with the back of the curb. (Ord. 3242 - 4/19/99 & Ord. 3281 - 8/16/99)

Parking During Snow Removal

Ordinance 9-7-6

It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle for a period of time longer than three (3) minutes for unloading or loading of passengers or thirty (30) minutes for loading and unloading of property on any street at any time after the snow begins to fall and for a period of eight (8) hours after snow stops falling, if snow on the street exceeds two inches (2") in depth, provided, that said parking restriction shall continue during snow removal operations until completed.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any ambulance or to any emergency vehicle of any government agency nor to the vehicles of any public utility while the operation of such vehicle is engaged in the necessary performance of emergency duties, and provided further, that this Section shall not apply to any vehicle brought to a stop to avoid a collision or standing in compliance with the order of any police officer or the direction of any traffic direction control signal.

Members of the Police Department of the Village are hereby authorized to remove any vehicle in violation of this Section from any public way to the Village vehicle pound or authorized garage as determined and designated by the Police Commissioner at the expense of the owner or operator of said vehicle.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle as a snowplow on the streets of the Village without having been authorized so to do by the Police Commission of the Village.

It shall be unlawful for any person to in any manner deposit, push or shovel any snow removed from other areas into the public streets in the Village. (Ord. 354, 12-4-67)

Plow Speeds

Snow plow operators drive the speed limit; however, sometimes plow trucks appear to be moving fast due to their size, the sound of the plow being pushed along the streets, and the force of the snow being pushed. If you suspect a plow truck is driving too fast, call the Village with the location and time it was witnessed and the Village will access that truck’s GPS record and address it with the driver.

Plows Up

Private Snow Removal Rules

Real-Time Snow Plow Coverage Map

Salt Smart Collaborative

Snow Plowing Jurisdictions

The Village of Orland Park takes great pride in making sure all of the roads within its jurisdiction are plowed and salted during a storm event. Please keep in mind that several state and local agencies other than the Village are responsible for snow removal on some roads. Check out a map of the various snow removal jurisdictions in Orland Park, as well as contact information for the agencies involved.

Snow Tips

Village ordinance prohibits parking on streets once two inches (2”) of snow has fallen.
Parked vehicles must be kept off of the streets for eight hours after it has stopped snowing.
When clearing the driveway, residents shall place snow on either side of the driveway and never in the street.
Residents should keep garbage cans and recycle bins from rolling into the street on garbage pickup day.
Designate curbs with five free stakes available from Public Works Department, 15655 S. Ravinia Avenue.
Digging from the street, clear out hydrants so that fire personnel can easily access them if necessary.
Do not clear your driveway at the curb line until the snowplow driver has made his last curb pass in front of your residence.
Be patient. Every storm is different with many variables. Streets may have to be plowed more than once.
Communicate with the Public Works Department. Report any ice formations on the street so that they can be salted. Clear the snow from storm sewers in front of your home so melting snow can easily drain, preventing ice patches.
Mailboxes should be kept in good repair and be placed at least one foot behind the curb to avoid damage. It is the responsibility of the resident to clear a safe path around mailboxes to ensure delivery. Homeowners’ associations are responsible for clearing the area around cluster mailboxes.

Winter Parking Ban

Orland Park’s Winter Parking Ban takes effect once two inches (2”) of snow falls. Once two inches (2”) of snow falls or more, you are not allowed to park any vehicle, on any village-owned street, for a period of time longer than three (3) minutes for unloading or loading of passengers or thirty (30) minutes for loading and unloading of property. This ban applies for a period of eight (8) hours after the snow stops falling or until the streets have been cleared of snow.

Residents can assist Village crews (and avoid a parking ticket) in the snow removal efforts by parking vehicles in driveways or other off-street areas. Parked cars are an obstacle to clearing the street well and also pose a hazard that plows must maneuver around. Your street will be plowed more thoroughly if there are fewer cars parked on the street.

FAQ

Why can't you plow my street now?

We wish we had enough snowplows and drivers to take care of every street right away, but our resources are limited and so we must adhere to a carefully laid out system for clearing the streets. If we allowed our plows to be diverted each time a special request was made, our system would be destroyed and it would take far longer to get all the streets in the Village cleared. To keep our snow removal operations as effective and efficient as possible, plows are not permitted to deviate from their assigned routes. Village-owned main roads have first priority for snow plowing. Side streets are second priority followed by cul-de-sacs and dead ends. The Village has contracted out the plowing of the majority of the cul-de-sacs to clear the streets more efficiently.

The plow left some snow at the end of my driveway. Can you send someone to come and plow it out?

There are approximately 10,000+ driveways in the Village of Orland Park. If we used all of our plows and spent just 60 seconds per driveway, it would take several days to clean driveways alone. One thing you can do to minimize the problem is to pile snow that had been shoveled from the driveway on the downstream side of the driveway. Then if the snowplow hits the pile, it will be moved onto the grass or sidewalk, not back into your driveway. The Streets Division crews do not come back and plow out any driveways.

Can you tell me exactly when my street will be plowed?

Under ideal circumstances, we can predict fairly accurately when we will have streets in various sections of the Village plowed. As weather conditions change we often must alter our snow-fighting strategy in the midst of the snow removal operations in order to control drifting snow, ice or other special problems. We cannot give you an estimate of when your street will be cleared due to ever-changing weather conditions.

Why don't the trucks plow and salt on the way to their routes?

Why don't you use the big trucks to plow out cul-de-sacs?

I'm having a party tonight. Can you be sure to plow in front of my house before my guests start arriving?

Why do you sometimes salt instead of plow, or plow instead of salt?

Different types of storms require the use of different snow-fighting techniques. The decision whether to salt or plow depends upon the expected weather conditions. For example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not be effective. But if the sun is shining and the temperature is 20 degrees or more and expected to remain steady or to rise, then salt would be more effective. The decision whether to plow or salt is made with great consideration and based on the latest weather information available. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a polished street surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice. The decisions made by an experienced crew and supervisory personnel are critical.

I once saw a snow plow parked in a restaurant parking lot during a bad snowstorm. Why was it there instead of on the streets working?

Snow plow operators take pride in clearing the streets on their routes as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Driving a snowplow is demanding, tiring work. Common sense and good safety practices dictate that each driver should take a 30-minute break every six hours. It is dangerous, both for the snowplow drivers and the public, if a fatigued driver is behind the wheel of a snowplow. It is in the best interest of all parties for the drivers to take occasional breaks.

Why do snow plow trucks sometimes just ride around when it's not snowing?

There are three reasons why you might see plows on the streets on snowless days. One is that every driver undergoes pre-season training. Skills must be sharpened and routes need to be learned and relearned. The second reason is that the trucks may be scanning the Village for secondary cleaning (cleaning the streets where vehicles were parked during the plowing of the streets). The third reason is that the trucks can be salting main break areas that are out of their view, or other problem areas.

Salt corrodes my car, sidewalk and drive. Couldn't you use sand instead?

I have a heart condition. Can you plow my street in case there is an emergency and an ambulance needs to get through?

When is parking prohibited on Village streets?

Parking on Village streets is not allowed once two inches (2") of snow or more falls. Vehicles are not allowed to park for a period of time longer than three (3) minutes for unloading or loading of passengers or thirty (30) minutes for loading or unloading of property. This ban applies for a period of eight (8) hours after the snow stops falling or until the streets have been cleared of snow. Anyone leaving town for an extended time (holidays, spring break) should find suitable off-street parking to avoid ticketing and towing.

What should I do if my vehicle was ticketed and towed for being illegally parked on the street during snow removal operations?

When I called the Public Works number to find out about road conditions, the line was busy.

Our telephone lines are understandably jammed during severe weather conditions. We advise limiting your travel or staying off the roads entirely if possible. Listen to television and radio bulletins about road condition. Remember that we can only provide information about streets within the Village of Orland Park. Our phone lines should be used primarily to alert us if a street has been missed or if there is some special problem relating to the snow removal operations.

Who is responsible for plowing the county and state roads?

Within the Village boundary, the Cook County Highway Department, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Orland Township are responsible for plowing various roadways. Check out a map of the various snow removal jurisdictions in Orland Park, as well as contact information for the agencies involved. For information on Cook County road conditions, call 708-448-8006. For information on Township road conditions, call 708-403-5148. For information on Illinois Department of Transportation roads, call 847-705-4216.

Why hasn't my street been cleared?

Village of Orland Park, IL

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