Winter Maintenance  

During the winter season (October through May) Street Maintenance crews work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week providing snow plowing, snow removal, ice prevention and de-icing on Municipal maintained streets and sidewalks.  During this time, rights-of-way are reserved for snow storage. These right-of-way areas may extend seven or more feet beyond the roads edge. To learn more about rights-of-way call 907-343-8240, or click on the following link: Right-of-Way

De-Icing and Anti-Icing

The Street Maintenance Division has implemented new maintenance methods for preventing ice buildup and de-icing on the city streets.  These methods are becoming more popular in both Canada and the United States.

Magnesium Chloride is used in limited quantities throughout the Municipality of Anchorage.  Magnesium chloride is less toxic to plant life surrounding roadways than other compounds.  The liquid magnesium chloride is sprayed on dry pavement prior to precipitation or wet pavement prior to freezing temperatures in the winter months to prevent snow and ice from adhering and bonding to the roadway.

Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) may be applied to the pavement surface as anti-icing or de-icing agent. 

       

Photos:  De-Icer truck sweeps in the front and sprays Magnesium Chloride from the back.

The following Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides facts on Magnesium Chloride.  To view the MSDS Fact Sheet, click on the link below.

Magnesium Chloride MSDS Sheet 

Snow Plowing and Removal

After a snowfall of 4 inches or greater, Street Maintenance crews work to clear Arterial and Collector streets and Municipal trails and sidewalks.  Once it stops snowing, and all Arterial and Collector streets are finished, a “Plow Out" will be declared. During a “Plow Out", our goal is to have all residential streets plowed at least once within 84 hours. If another snow event of greater than 4 inches occurs while we are in the middle of a declared “Plow Out", the residential plowing will stop, and crews will plow Arterial and Collector streets.  The “Plow Out" will then resume after it stops snowing and Arterial and Collector streets have been completed. After the "Plow Out" is complete, crews will begin  pushing the snow back and/ or ​ hauling the snow to designated snow storage sites.  This cycle will continue after every major snow fall.

Click on the following links to find your area on the Plow-Out Map, or to check the status of current Plow-Outs.

 

Snow Plow Plans

Plow Out Status Map

  • Snow removal from driveways and mailboxes is the responsibility of the property owner.  Snow from driveways cannot be shoveled or plowed into the street right-of-way or onto sidewalks. This is a violation of Municipal Code Title 24.80.090 and could result in a citation. 
  • Please limit on-street parking in all areas during snow plowing and removal operations.
  • It is illegal to park vehicles in the middle of a cul-de-sac per Municipal Code Title 9.30.030, A13.  Vehicles parked in a cul-de-sac during snow plowing or removal operations may result in a citation and/or towing.
  • There may be some deviation in the plowing patterns on trash days.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT), maintains most major road ways within the Municipality of Anchorage. For comments or questions regarding the winter state maintained roads, please contact the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities at: 907-338-1466. To view a map of the State Maintained Roads, click on the following Link:  State M​aintained Roads or State of Alaska Web Map - Snow Plowing Priorities

If you have a question or need assistance from MOA Street Maintenance, you may contact us at 907-​343-8277.