Snow Removal
Snow Removal Priorities & Goals
The goal of DPW is to keep vehicular traffic moving on Wilkes-Barre's 606 streets, covering 126 miles, during and following snowstorms. To accomplish this goal, the DPW fleet is equipped with plows and salt spreaders. DPW crews are trained in the use of snow removal and salting equipment to ensure high efficiency.
During a snow emergency, road crews work around the clock to clear the roadways as soon as possible. The most important goal is to maintain passable roadways to hospitals and accessible by emergency vehicles. The city is obligated to clear roads in the following prioritization:
- Main roads to hospitals and connecting roads leading in and out of the city
- Secondary roads
- Smaller streets, alleys, & lanes
Snow Shoveling
The City of Wilkes-Barre requests that residents stay informed and help in the following snow removal efforts:
- It is the duty of the owner, tenant, or occupant of any lot, land, or real estate in the city to clear the sidewalks of all snow or ice within forty-eight (48) hours after the end of any storm or snow fall. Failure to do so may result in issuance of a Quality of Life Ticket.
- Snow should not be shoveled or moved into the roadway, rather snow should be shoveled onto lawn areas or close to the curb.
If our trucks have not yet plowed or salted your street 12 hours after the snowfall has ended and the street is in need of ice or snow removal, please call DPW at 570.208.4240 or report online.
Did you know?
The City of Wilkes-Barre DPW uses on average, between 3,000 to 4,000 tons of rock salt a year.