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1. When will my road be plowed?

Roads are plowed based on traffic. Initial efforts focus on roads with higher traffic volumes. These roads are designated as priority routes and are typically destination-based, meaning they provide service between two high traffic destinations. For example, County Home Road between Highway 13 and Interstate 380 is a priority route with a great deal of traffic. Hard surface roads with lower traffic volumes are plowed next, followed by sub-division roads. Gravel roads are plowed between the hours of 7 am and 3:30 pm. We first attempt to open gravel roads to one lane of traffic and then remove the rest of the snow over the following days.

2. What are your hours of operation for winter snow removal?

Linn County's Winter Maintenance Operations Policy (PDF) sets our normal hours of operation at 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday These hours can be extended to 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and include weekends during snow emergencies. If you have an emergency outside of these hours, dial 911.

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Winter Maintenance Operations Policy

3. How do you decide if crews will plow outside of normal hours of operation?

The Operations Superintendent monitors multiple weather forecasting apps, uses the Iowa DOT Road Weather Information System to check air and pavement temperatures, and watches Iowa DOT live cameras to see current conditions when a winter weather event is predicted for Linn County. Then, around 1 a.m., the superintendent drives a two hour route through the whole County in two-wheel drive to get a sense of how difficult it is to get around. If the decision is made to call in crews for extended hours, the superintendent calls the seven managers who call the 30-41 other crew members for an early start time. Mechanics are also called in to be ready for any repair needs.

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4. Do you sand and salt gravel roads?

No. Salt and sand are only applied to hard surfaced roads due to the damage it can cause to rock roads. Gravel roads that become slick are roughed up with a motor grader to provide better traction. In some cases, lime, rock chips, sand, or rock is applied to the surface. 

Salt on a gravel road causes maintenance problems as the road begins to thaw out, often making conditions worse. As the salt melts the snow/ice, it causes the salt and water solution to penetrate into the road surface. This causes the road surface to break up and loosens the previously hard packed surface. This process will continue to progress into the base of the road and can create a quicksand like effect. Further damage to the road can occur as vehicles drive over the road because they sink into the road instead of riding across the top. 

5. How long does it take to clear a Secondary Road snow route?

During a Priority Route response, 30 crew members operating 30 truck plows usually take three hours to clear all hard surfaced roads in the secondary road system. During a Standard Route response, 41 crew members operating 30 truck plows and 11 motor graders usually take 10-12 hours to clear all Linn County secondary roads. Response times can vary greatly based upon the weather conditions. 

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6. The post office will not deliver my mail because of the snow in front of my mailbox. Will the County be out to remove this snow?

No. Property owners are responsible for maintaining access to mailboxes. Mail carriers will not deliver mail if they are unable to reach mail boxes.

7. Why did the snow plow push snow beyond the edge of the road?

We push snow beyond the shoulders to reduce drifting problems and in preparation for the next snow event. Snow that is piled just outside of the traveled portion of the road, including shoulders, is a visual obstruction for motorists entering the roadway from driveways and intersections. Also, snow that is pushed farther back will melt into the ditch and away from the roadway. The county holds right-of-way outside of the traveled portion of the road for the purpose of snow storage and drainage.

8. My mailbox was destroyed by your plow. Are you going to replace it?

Per our policy, Linn County will not repair or replace mailboxes, fences or other private fixtures located in the right-of-way when they are destroyed or damaged during snow removal operations unless such action can be determined to be willful or malicious. Furthermore, Linn County will not replace mailboxes damaged or knocked down by the force of snow thrown from a plow. Winter Maintenance Operations Policy