Snow Plowing & Ice Removal

Snow Removal on City Streets

The City of Burnsville maintains more than 225 miles of streets. Employees from all Public Works divisions - including streets, utilities, parks, fleet and forestry - take part in snow removal and de-icing during each winter.

Timing and Routes

When it snows, it may take up to 12 hours or more to plow snowevery street. 

On average, the City of Burnsville receives 48 inches of snow per year, resulting in crews plowing anywhere from 15-25 times each winter, depending on snowfall amounts.

Streets are plowed and de-iced in the following priority: 

  1. Main Thoroughfares
  2. Commercial / Industrial
  3. Collectors / Steep Grades
  4. Residential

Crews  usually begin plowing around 3 a.m. to try to have collector streets cleared by rush hour. 

Snow Removal on Sidewalks/Trails

The City of Burnsville maintains more than 120 miles of public sidewalks, and 20 miles of park paths.

Timing and Routes

When a snow storm produces large amounts of snow it may take several days to complete all sidewalk and trail snow removal since crews prioritize streets and heavily accessed sidewalks first.

Sidewalk snow removal begins on the same day as street plowing. If conditions become too severe, crews will focus on high priority areas such as sidewalks adjacent to schools. 

Sidewalk and trail route priorities are reviewed annually. School access, bus route access and church access are all taken into consideration when developing or changing sidewalk priorities.

Plow Damage Repair Policies

Damage resulting from plows and snow removal can happen. The City of Burnsville follows these guidelines when repairing damage:

  • Mailboxes:  The City will repair or reimburse for mailboxes or posts that are actually hit and damaged by Burnsville snowplow equipment. The City will not repair or reimburse for mailboxes or posts that are damaged by snow moved by snow plow equipment. Click here to view mailbox guidelines (PDF)
  • Sod:  The City will repair sod and turf damage caused by snow and ice removal, including damage caused by sidewalk snow removal activities.
  • Other Landscaping:  The City does not repair other private improvements such as landscaping or irrigation systems damaged by snow removal equipment and activities.

Safety Tips

  • Know and understand the City's policies and procedures around snow and ice removal.
  • Keep up with weather forecasts and prepare for adverse weather conditions.
  • Do not park vehicles on public streets during a snow event. Remember that no overnight parking is allowed on any street between 2 - 6 a.m. daily year-round.
  • Maintain a safe distance (at least 75 feet) away from emergency and maintenance vehicles. 
  • Expect maintenance vehicles to stop and back up frequently.
  • Remove garbage cans and recycling bins from the roadways and keep them in your driveway or up on the curb.
  • Do not put snow on roads or sidewalks while shoveling or snow blowing.
  • Drive carefully and be courteous to other drivers during unfavorable conditions.