Snow Removal

The City of Topeka Public Works Department is responsible for clearing snow and ice from over 1600 lane miles of streets in the City.

With the exception of emergency requests from police dispatchers, individual requests for snow removal cannot be taken.

Standard Snow & Ice Control Priorities

In order to make the most efficient use of available resources, priorities have been established using the assumption that the severity of a storm is not beyond the normal capabilities of the City’s snow and ice control resources. Depending on the nature of the snowstorm, deviations could occur. The established priorities are as follows:

Priority 1:

  • Primary Streets: Arterial Streets and Emergency Snow routes
  • Service Level – Plowing will typically begin with 2” of snow accumulation. Complete snow and ice control within 24 hours of snowfall ending.

Priority 2:

  • Secondary Streets: Collector Streets
  • Service Level – Plowing will typically begin with 4” of snow accumulation. Complete snow and ice control within 24 hours after Priority 1 completion.

Priority 3:

  • Residential Streets: Local Streets
  • Service Level – Plowing will typically begin with 6” of snow accumulation to ensure that they are passable to emergency services and general public as necessary upon completion of Priorities 1 through 2.

The top priorities will be constantly monitored and if snow persists we will return to those areas for plowing and/or treating.

The snow depths for plowing are guidelines and may not be adhered to for each storm event. The Public Works Director will have discretion based upon current and forecasted weather and pavement conditions.

Reporting Issues

Snow and ice concerns can be reported in two ways:

Event Communications

Media notifications of emergency parking bans, snow emergency declarations, road closures, and other contact for inquiries regarding road conditions will be made by the City Communications Department.

Media communication requests should be directed to CityCommunications@topeka.org.