Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. When you live in northeast Ohio, that's what you have to expect. So when we get a couple inches of snow, its really just part of the annual event called winter. And the City of Alliance street department crews deal with it on a structured and scheduled basis. They have fixed routes and fixed streets that get plowed and/or salted first. Streets designated as "emergency routes" get first attention. You may have noticed those little blue and white signs that say, "Emergency Snow Route." Myrtle Beach has their emergency hurricane evacuation routes, Ohio has their emergency snow routes.

The City of Alliance has one hundred and six miles of streets just counting one lane. Forty-eight and a half miles of those streets are considered emergency routes. The following is a breakdown of those emergency streets: Glamorgan, Sawburg, State, Freshley, Union, Arch, Freedom, Rosemont, Western, Electric, 24^th, Rockhill, Parkway, Fernwood, Overlook, the Viaduct, Main, Ely, Vine, Lincoln, Cambridge, Patterson, Noble/Rush, Webb, River/Walnut, Rice, Market, Liberty, Mahoning, Broadway, Summit, Milner, Vincent, and College.

If you look at a map of the city, you can see why these particular streets have been chosen as emergency routes. You can get around all over the city using these streets. If you need to get somewhere in a hurry when it's snowing, following these streets will get you there more quickly.

Emergency routes serve another purpose too. Keeping those routes free of snow and ice allows emergency crews to get to your house faster, even if you live on what's called a "secondary street." Secondary streets get plowed and salted after all the emergency streets are in good shape. If the snow keeps falling, the street department may have to keep their trucks on just the emergency routes to keep them clear. In a heavy snow event, it may be awhile before you see a truck on your street. If your garage is located on an alley, it may be longer yet before you see a truck. Alleys are only done after all the emergency streets and secondary streets are clear.

It takes awhile to clear forty-eight miles of emergency streets, fifty-eight miles of secondary streets, and thirty-eight miles of alleys. State Street alone is four miles long, just in one lane. The city puts as many trucks out on the streets as they can at any given time. Crews usually work three shifts in the winter. In a heavier than usual snow, crews may go to twelve hour shifts.

During last weekend's snow, they went on twelve hours and used three hundred tons of salt. On most of the streets, salt is mixed with calcium chloride. In certain areas like stop signs, the salt may be mixed with number 9 gravel (known as "grit" in snow removal lingo).

Residents can do their part to help things go a little more smoothly. Please don't shovel your driveway or walkway snow out into the street. It's hazardous for vehicles and for snowplows. It's also illegal. And please, whenever possible, don't park your car along the street of an emergency snow route. It just makes it harder for the plows to get around.

Be patient, be cautious and be considerate. Snow is something we have to live with in Ohio. It's not new and it's not unexpected. We have a great street department crew. They do a fantastic job under adverse conditions. They work hard and we are very proud of them. If you have questions, call Jeff Porter at 330-823-3133.