When will my road be plowed in Indianapolis?

Sarah Nelson, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read

When the forecast calls for snow and icy conditions, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works activates its Snow Force drivers.

This is the group who, since October, have been planning and training to pre-treat roadways with salt to prevent icing and then hit the roadways with plow-fronted trucks to remove snow accumulations, giving drivers passage from Point A to Point B.

How many drivers does Indianapolis have to plow roads?

Statewide, INDOT staff monitors multiple weather forecasts and deploys more than 1,000 snow plows, and up to 2,000 drivers, mechanics, clerks and managers before predicted winter weather, according to their site.

Locally, Indy Snow Force typically dispatches between 60 and 80 drivers to pretreat Indianapolis roads, according to their social media releases. During storms, approximately 75 trucks and more than 100 team members work per shift 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to keep roads clear.

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Where to see when my road will be plowed

The Indy Snow Force Viewer Map is live when the team is activated. See the map online at maps.indy.gov/IndySnowForceViewer.

This map will show where roads along standard routes have been recently plowed or treated with salt.

Residents can stay up to date on Indy Snow Force efforts during winter weather events online at indy.gov/dpw and on Twitter by following @IndySnowForce.

How to drive in winter weather

  • Use extra care when driving, especially on bridges, overpasses and locations known to get slippery.

  • Leave home with plenty of time to get where you need to be safely.

  • Give vehicles room on the road.

The Department of Public Works also asks motorists to keep these tips in mind when sharing the road with snow trucks:

  • Look out for flashing amber lights. These lights alert drivers from far away of plow trucks on the road.

  • Give plow trucks plenty of room to treat the roads. Plow trucks release road salt from the back of the truck, and following too closely could result in salt hitting your vehicle.

  • Stay at least three car lengths away from plows. Snow clouds thrown by plows can reduce visibility greatly, hiding other vehicles or road hazards.

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I could do that! How do I get a job as a snow plower?

Indy DPW is hiring for various full-time positions within its operations and solid waste divisions, including positions that involve driving snow trucks. More info on open positions can be found at joinDPW.indy.gov.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis weather: Here's when snow plows are coming