MnDOT reminds public not push snow on to roads

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds the public that it is unlawful to deposit snow on or next to a public highway or street.

“Improperly placing snow on or near a public road creates hazards including drainage problems, drifting, sight obstruction and unsafe access,” said Curt Larson, maintenance superintendent. “Keep crosswalks, intersections, entrances and exits clean and unobstructed.”

Minnesota law and many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow on to public roads. This includes the ditch and right of way area along the roads.

Violations are considered misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if the placement of snow creates a hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut or bump, that contributes to a motor vehicle or pedestrian crash. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who placed the snow.

MnDOT maintenance crews plow and maintain about 12,000 miles of state highways and interstates in Minnesota. District 2 crews are responsible for about 3,900 lane miles.

MnDOT reminds public not to push snow on to roads

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds the public that it is unlawful to deposit snow on or next to a public highway or street.

 “Improperly placing snow on or near a public road creates hazards including drainage problems, drifting, sight obstruction and unsafe access,” said Reid Baumann, MnDOT District 2 spokesperson. “Keep crosswalks, intersections, entrances and exits clean and unobstructed.”

Minnesota lawand many local ordinances prohibit the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow on to public roads. This includes the ditch and right of way area along the roads.

Violations are considered misdemeanors, but civil penalties also apply if the placement of snow creates a hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut or bump, that contributes to a motor vehicle or pedestrian crash. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who placed the snow.

MnDOT maintenance crews plow and maintain about 12,000 miles of state highways and interstates in Minnesota.

Best start to winter recreation season since 2010

Anyone eager to get out cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling will find an abundance of opportunities at many Minnesota state parks and trails, thanks to this week’s heavy snowfall.

"The recent heavy snowfall and the forecast for sustained cold temperatures offers prospects of substantial, enduring snow cover deep into the month," said Greg Spoden, state climatologist at the Department of Natural Resources. "It will be the best start to the winter recreation season since 2010."

Staff from the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division and local clubs will be busy grooming trails in preparation for the upcoming weekend, but the DNR advises prospective park and trail visitors to check the website for trip planning tips before heading out to a winter recreation destination.

Snow depth and trail conditions are updated every Thursday after 2 p.m. throughout the winter months at www.mndnr.gov/snow.

Many Minnesota state parks rent snowshoes, and several rent cross-country skis. For rental locations and prices, check out the “winter activities guide” at www.mndnr.gov/winterguide.

For a schedule of upcoming programs and special events at Minnesota state parks and trails, including the popular candlelight ski and snowshoe events, visit the online calendar at www.mndnr.gov/ptcalendar or pick up one of the new “Programs and Special Events” brochures at park offices.

As always, the DNR urges outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution around lakes and wetlands, because the early snow might act as a blanket over thin ice. Snowmobilers, in particular, should exercise caution and be alert to conditions.

For more information, contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr@state.mn.us, 651-296-6157 or toll-free at 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

High snow banks limit visibility at intersections

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists and pedestrians are asked to use extreme caution and proceed slowly at intersections, as high snow banks are limiting visibility at intersections and driveways.

In areas with high snow banks, motorists should slow down and anticipate that another vehicle or pedestrian could be approaching the intersection. Approaching drivers and pedestrians should do so with extreme caution and not assume that others can see you.

MnDOT snowplow operators have been extremely busy clearing the roads. When crews complete work of pushing snow to the sides, they will begin removing snow and transporting to selected disposal sites.

For updated information on road conditions, visit www.511mn.org or call 5-1-1.

Roof Snow Removal Probably Not Necessary

News release from NDSU Extension:

This winter's heavy snowfall has people wondering whether they need to remove snow from the roof of their house or agricultural building.

"Most roofs are designed to handle the snow load of a typical winter," North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang says. "Just because one roof has gone down doesn't mean every roof in the area is in danger. The collapse may have been a case of poor workmanship or design, unusual amounts of snow or some other special circumstance."

Hellevang says most house roofs in eastern and northern North Dakota should hold 30 to 40 pounds of snow per square foot. In the southwestern part of the state, where snowfall typically is lighter, roofs are built to hold less - about 30 pounds per square foot.

"Agricultural buildings usually aren't designed to those same standards,"
Hellevang says. "That's because the risk of damage or injury from collapse is considered to be lower."

Agricultural buildings should carry 20 to 35 pounds of snow per square foot, depending on location. However, agricultural buildings normally are not required to be built to carry a specified snow load and may have been built for a lighter amount of snow.

Also, snow load standards may not have been in place when older homes and
buildings were erected, but if those buildings have withstood the test of time, they'll probably withstand a normal winter's snow load, Hellevang says.

Determining if the snow load on your roof is excessive can be difficult. "The weight of snow varies greatly," Hellevang says. "Light, fluffy snow may only weigh about 7 pounds per cubic foot. More average snow may weigh 15 pounds per cubic foot, and drifted, compacted snow may weigh 20 pounds or more. Ice buildup also adds weight rapidly."

If the roof has more than a couple of feet of compacted snow on it, the load may be excessive, he adds.

He urges people to monitor the roof for deep drifts caused by surrounding
buildings or trees. Roofs that have more than one level often accumulate deep snowdrifts, but those roofs should have been built to carry that added load.

Ultimately, however, the decision to shovel off a roof will be based on an
educated guess unless you can get a recommendation from an engineer or building official, Hellevang says.

He recommends that home and agricultural building owners check their insurance policy because roof failure due to snow is not covered by all policies.

Those who decide to shovel off their roof need to remember that snow and ice can make the job dangerous. Agricultural buildings with metal roofs can be especially treacherous, and power lines can be an added hazard.

Hellevang advises using a "roof rake," which allows a person to remove snow while standing on the ground. Ladders can slide easily on frozen ground, so they need to be anchored in some way.

Shoes also can slide easily on the ladder and the roof. Select shoes that
provide a good grip in cold weather. People who are not agile and comfortable working on the roof should hire someone to remove the snow.

"You also can damage your roof," Hellevang says. "Cold temperatures make
shingles brittle, so they break more easily. You're also more likely to remove many of the little pebbles from the surface of the shingles, shortening the life of your roof."

Some snow rakes have rollers that keep the rake just above the shingle. If using a shovel, take care to not impact the shingles, and shovel down the roof in the direction the shingles lie.