Covington, KY – The Department of Public Improvements works hard to keep the streets safe during ice and snow emergencies and has been preparing since November to combat Mother Nature this winter season.

In order to be efficient in snow plowing efforts, the Department of Public Improvements divides the city up into 12 different plow routes. These routes were designed to overlap in some areas to provide additional coverage.

The city divides the streets up by “Priority Level”

1.    Streets designated as High Priority are typically major arterial and collector streets, or those abutting schools or hospitals. These streets are plowed within 6 hours from the first call out.

2.    Streets designated as Medium Priority are minor collector streets, typically serving a single subdivision, or cul de sac streets. These are plowed within 8 hours from the time a storm subsides.

3.    Streets designated as Low Priority are stop sign approaches, alleys, and some parking lots, and are plowed within 24 hours from the end of a storm.

The City of Covington has an interlocal agreement with other local cities and Kentucky for snow plowing. This means that not all streets in Covington are plowed by DPI. Some are maintained by the stat, the county, and others by the cities of Taylor Mill, Erlanger, and Ft. Wright. In exchange, the City of Covington plows some roads for neighboring jurisdictions, including Kenton Vale.

To determine how soon your street will be plowed following a snow event, please reference these maps for north of 275 and for south of 275.

Additionally, you can check through the street listing to find your street, and see what priority status it is.

Please call the Department of Public Improvements if you have any questions or feedback regarding the snow removal on a public street.

General Safety Tips

• For any questions regarding the City's snow removal schedule, call 859-292-2292.
• If a snow warning is issued by the State, Covington snow crews will pretreat our priority routes earlier in preparation and will remain on duty through the night/morning as long as the snow continues.
• Motorists, please be mindful of salt trucks and give them the room that they need to remove snow.  Please allow extra time for your commute and take it slow in the snow!
• BE AWARE that the possible ice in this event!
• REMEMBER- City DPI Maintenance crews have responsibility for clearing 290 miles of city-maintained streets and alleyways. Maintenance crews are prepared to work to keep roads in the best possible condition during winter weather.
• The City has approximately 1,800 tons of salt on hand in its storage dome located at the DPI facility on Boron Drive.
• As DPI crews have made preparations for clearing roadways, motorists should also be prepared for driving in snow and ice by following these tips provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:
• Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized - check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers and windshield washer.
• Check the forecast and call 511 or visitwww.511.ky.gov/ for the latest condition reports before traveling. You can also get traffic information for the District 6 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6.
• Avoid nonessential travel if conditions are dangerous.
• Dress warmly for the weather -in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, in anticipation of unexpected emergencies.
• Try to keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel line freezing and to prepare for possible lengthy delays on the roadway.
• Make sure a friend or relative is aware of your travel route.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Make sure your vehicle has an emergency care kit. It should include jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, blankets, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, and traction material.
• Drive carefully. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Do not use cruise control.
• Give a wide berth to snow removal equipment.
• Remember that bridges and exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.
• Stopping in snow requires more braking distance than stopping on dry pavement - up to four times more distance. Make sure to put plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
• Be visible. Dull, cloudy days will cut down on visibility, so drive using low-beam headlights.
• If you don't do your job, you can inhibit our capability to do ours.
• Most importantly always buckle up!

For more information contact DPI at 859.292.2292 or visit the KYTC website at http://transportation.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx