Public Works - Winter Operations 

Reminder - 

Per City ordinance "No person shall park a vehicle on any street or highway between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day during the period extending from December fifteenth to March fifteenth of each year."

The City can also impose a parking ban during an emergency - before 12/15 or after 3/15.

Snow/Ice Control – The Department of Public Works is responsible for ice and snow control on City streets. The State Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for all State roads (Route 6, Route 72, Route 69, Route 229) within the City of Bristol.

Snow and ice control operations will be implemented based on weather forecasts, Police Department reports, snow accumulations, snow drifting, icy conditions and time of snowfall in relation to traffic volumes. Once snow and ice control operations begin, the City will use City employees, equipment, and private contractors as needed to provide this service in a safe and cost-effective manner.

City roads are divided into five (5) districts which coincide with City rubbish collection routes. Within each district, the City has classified streets based on street function, traffic volume, and importance to the welfare of the community (i.e. emergency vehicle routes). High volume routes and main emergency vehicle routes are generally plowed first by City vehicles. Second priority is given to streets that provide access to schools, municipal buildings, and commercial businesses. Low volume residential streets are then done, followed by alleys and City parking lots. Every effort will be made to plan plowing of City streets to coincide with school bus routing (when school is in session) and religious services on weekends.

The City will clear snow and treat City sidewalks abutting City-owned property as needed. By City Ordinance (Sec 21-23) all other sidewalks, (except those maintained by The Bristol Board of Education, Bristol Housing Authority, and Bristol Parks Department) are the responsibility of the abutting property owner(s).

What can residents do?
- Adhere to parking bans when in effect. This helps keep streets clear and makes snow removal more efficient. 
- Stay off the road when possible. If you must travel, use caution and keep your distance from vehicles involved in the snow fighting effort to allow them to perform safely. 
- Do not shovel or blow snow back onto roads or sidewalks cleared by the City. This can create a hazardous condition and is prohibited by City Ordinance.
- Ensure that your mailbox, if installed on the tree border (behind the curb) is in good repair and installed properly to avoid damage by plows. 
- Clear catch basins near your residence to ensure that storm runoff can drain properly.

 If you have any concerns regarding the plowing or sanding of City Streets, please call the Public Works Dispatcher at 584-7791.

Sand – (During the Winter season) Free supplies of a sand and salt mixture for snow and ice conditions is available to residents in small quantities in front of the City Dog Pound on Vincent P. Kelly Road (off of Middle Street). We ask that you only fill containers for residential use, we do not allow trucks to be loaded.

Mailbox damage due to City plowing– In an effort to protect your mailbox from winter plowing, we suggest that your mailbox be set so that no portion of the box, arm or post is any closer than ten inches from the gutter. If your mailbox is not properly placed, the Public Works Department will not be held liable for damage that might occur as a result of snow plowing operations. If your mailbox is damaged due to the snow plowing operation, please report all mailbox damage to the Public Works Dispatcher at 584-7791. You will be asked your name, telephone number, when it happened (date, time), who did it (city or contract plow, truck number), and whether or not your can make temporary repair to continue mail delivery. This information will be referred to the Streets Division and if confirmed, repair will be made.

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