Posts tagged sidewalks
Ma Nature to dump on Front Range
Oct 24th
Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Recent warm temperatures are forecasted to change drastically and potentially drop several inches of snow on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The City of Boulder is doing everything it can to prepare for whatever winter might have in store.
Snow removal procedures on city streets
The city’s Public Works Department has snow crews on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week to respond to changing weather conditions. During snowstorms, there are 16 plow trucks on Boulder streets. Six of them distribute a liquid deicer, four spreader trucks distribute traction materials, and seven can distribute either. Fifteen trucks drive predetermined routes while one “floater” responds to problem areas.
Plows push the snow to the center lane where space is available. If space is not available, the snow is pushed to the side of the street. A liquid deicer is used on both streets and bike paths.
The city also applies deicing agents to streets and bridges for ice and snow control. Streets may be pretreated before a storm to reduce the build-up of snow and ice, depending on weather conditions. The liquid deicer may also be applied throughout a storm to continue melting the snow pack. Spreader trucks put down a crystallized deicer and lightweight, porous rock for traction, where needed.
Snow removal on city streets depends on the amount of snow and length of the storm, time of day, temperature and traffic conditions. Because most snow melts within a day or two in Boulder’s sunny climate and because plowing costs would increase by 200 percent, the City of Boulder does not plow residential streets. Plowing residential streets also blocks driveways and parked cars.
Sidewalk snow removal information
The Boulder Police Department recently took over the enforcement of a number of city code violations from the Public Works Department, including enforcement of the sidewalk snow removal ordinance.
The Boulder Revised Code (8-2-13) states that owners, tenants and landlords must clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Residents will be responsible for checking with the National Weather Service for specific snow fall completion information. Failure to remove snow before the deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process.
Each property will receive only one warning per snow season before the abatement process begins. A warning does not have to be issued in order for a code enforcement officer to issue a summons. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalk; the property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow.
If a summons is issued, the maximum fine is $1,000 and 90 days in jail as determined by a municipal judge. The fine for a first-time offense is $100.
For people who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks, the ICEBUSTERS program may be able to pair them with someone who can do the work for them. Volunteers are needed for this program. To volunteer or learn more, please contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 303-443-1933 or email richardvarnes@rsvp.org.
City of Boulder Public Works summer construction projects
Jun 3rd
For the next six months, construction crews will be working to resurface city streets, restore utilities infrastructure and improve transit options for all modes of transportation. The major summer construction projects with traffic impacts are outlined below. All active projects and related traffic impacts are updated weekly on www.boulderconezones.net.
2011 Street Resurfacing Program
The City of Boulder’s annual street resurfacing projects have begun, and are scheduled to continue through the summer and into the fall. About 50 city streets are targeted for chip sealing, resurfacing (overlay) or replacement in 2011 (See all streets planned for resurfacing). In general, these operations will have daytime traffic impacts with intermittent lane/road closures and parking restrictions. Budget and scheduling issues may prevent the city from finishing all of the resurfacing projects currently being considered.
Sidewalk Improvements Program
This project completes repairs to damaged sidewalk and installs or improves pedestrian curb access ramps in a particular neighborhood area each year. This year’s program begins on Tuesday, June 7. Crews will be making improvements to the area bounded by 4th and 9th streets, Alpine and Iris avenues. There will be periodic daytime lane closures associated with this work, as well as short-term impacts to sidewalks and bicycle lanes. This project is expected to be completed by early fall 2011.
Arapahoe Avenue Multimodal Improvements Project
This project will begin in late summer, with traffic impacts expected to last for three months. The purpose of the project is to upgrade Arapahoe Avenue, from Folsom to 30th streets, to include amenities and facilities for all transportation modes. Generally, lane closures will occur during off-peak hours with occasional 24-hour closures as needed. There will also be impacts to sidewalks and transit stops. Detailed weekly traffic impacts will be posted on the Cone Zones website when the work begins.
Broadway (Euclid to 18th) Transportation Improvements Project
Intersection improvements at Broadway and 18th Street (part of the larger improvement project) will begin on Monday, June 6. During construction:
Broadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction, 24 hours a day;
Turn lanes at 18th Street, to and from Broadway, will be closed at times, and detour signage will be in place; and
There will also be occasional closures of the Broadway multi-use path, with bicycle and pedestrian detours in place.
Improvements are expected to take about two months to complete. Work should be done by mid-August, prior to students’ return to campus for move-in week. Construction of the underpass work has been rescheduled to start in late 2011 or early 2012, with the work taking approximately one year to complete.
2011 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project
This project began in May, and involves the rehabilitation of sanitary sewer lines at various sites throughout the city. In general, motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures and parking restrictions where posted. Individual work sites and times will be scheduled on a weekly basis. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-July.
2011 South Boulder Waterline Replacement Project
These projects will begin in mid-June, with traffic impacts expected to last until the end of November. The project involves the replacement of waterlines on:
33rd Street, from Fisher Drive to Walnut Street;
3rd and 4th streets, at Evergreen and Forest avenues;
Chippewa Drive, from Inca Parkway to Mohawk Drive;
Hillsdale Way, from Howard Place to Table Mesa Drive;
Lipan Way, from Inca Parkway to Eutaw Drive; and
Ottawa Place.
Crews will also be installing 1,300 linear feet of new waterlines in Arapahoe Avenue, between 28th and 30th streets. Construction will begin in July and is expected to take approximately a month to complete. The replacement of waterlines will greatly improve the water distribution system and water quality in South Boulder.
For the most up-to-date information on all construction impacts, visit the Cone Zones webpage or follow Cone Zone Man on Twitter at www.twitter.com/boulderconezone for real-time traffic updates.
Weather: SNOW Boulder, city reminders; Best weather sources here. #boulder
Nov 9th
Snow forecast for Boulder; city snow season reminders
With snow predicted for this week, the City of Boulder would like to remind residents of snow removal requirements and provide some tips that will help everyone have a safe winter season.
Prompt removal of snow from sidewalks is important because it helps facilitate safe pedestrian travel in adverse weather conditions. Many people rely on sidewalks to conduct their daily affairs and virtually every trip, even those by car, includes some walking, so it’s important that sidewalks are cleared of snow in a timely manner.
While the forecast does not call for significant accumulation, Boulder residents, property owners, tenants and landlords should be aware of recent changes to the city’s sidewalk snow removal requirements (Boulder Revised Code, Section 8-2-13):
All snow and ice must be cleared from the full width of all sidewalks adjacent to properties by noon the day following a snow storm;
- If the snowstorm ends prior to 5 a.m., sidewalks must be cleared by noon that day;
- If the snowstorm ends after 5 a.m., sidewalks must be cleared by noon the following day.
For people who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks, the ICEBUSTERS program may help pair them with someone who can help. Volunteers are also needed to help with the program. To volunteer or learn more, contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 303-443-1933 or E-mail richardvarnes@rsvp.org.
To report sidewalk snow removal violations, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/ezeo and use the “Report a Violation” form, or contact the Environmental and Zoning Enforcement Office at 303-441-3239. The city will post information on snow removal deadlines on its “Winter Tips” website, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov and select “Winter Tips” to learn more.
Failure to remove snow before the deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process. Each property will only receive one warning per snow season before the abatement process begins. A warning does not have to be issued in order for a Code Enforcement Officer to issue a summons. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalks. The property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow. If a summons is issued, the maximum fine is $1,000 and 90 days in jail as determined by the municipal judge. The fine for a first time offense is $100.
During a snowstorm, it’s important that area motorists use caution and be aware of other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Here are a few tips on safely navigating city streets during a snowfall:
Slow down on ice and snow, and allow for more stopping distance (It takes 3 to 12 times more distance to stop on icy and/or snowy roads)
- Snow plows are wider than one lane, so give them plenty of room to operate
- Teach children to be extra careful around traffic
- When behind a de-icing material spreading truck, try to stay three to four car lengths behind to allow for adequate stopping distance.
To report icy or dangerous roadway conditions, contact the city’s snow dispatch line during normal business hours at 303-413-7109, or after hours at 303-413-7177. To learn more about how to have a safe winter season in Boulder, visitwww.bouldercolorado.gov and click on “Winter Tips and Information” in the left-hand menu. soce cityuce
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