Public Streets

Every spring, the Public Works Department sweeps the City streets to remove sand and salt residue from the winter snow and ice control operations, and to provide safe conditions for all modes of transportation. Sweeping up the sand also keeps it out of the storm drains as well as our lakes and wetlands. The process begins as soon as weather permits, after street weight restrictions are lifted, and continues until all of the streets have been swept at least once.

To preserve the condition of the public streets within the City from serious damage and destruction during vulnerable weather conditions, street weight restrictions are enforced annually from March 1st to May 1st. View Map.

Streets to receive a mill and overlay are typically determined in March-April for work to be completed in the summer.

The streets scheduled for 2010 are Yellowstone Trail and Eureka Road.

Sealcoating is a major part of the street maintenance program in Shorewood. In the process, an application of liquid asphalt is placed on the existing street surface and immediately covered by small rocks. After leaving a few days of time for cars to drive over the surface, somewhat compacting the rocks into the surface, roads are swept of excess rock.

Before streets are sealcoated, a resident information letter is sent to those directly affected by the sealcoating. This letter gives specific dates that sealcoating of the street is expected to take place, and any specific requests by the City, such as keeping parked cars off of the street.

During the process, residents are encouraged to drive slowly and and be patient. It is a fairly quick process that extends the life of our roads, reducing cost and improving drive conditions.

Streets to receive seal coating are typically determined in March-April for work to be completed in the summer. ,Tthe following streets are scheduled to received seal coating in 2010:

Broms Boulevard, Chartwell Hill, Chestnut Court, Chestnut Terrace, Covington Court, Covington Road, Elbert Point, Mckinley Circle, Muirfield Circle, Near Mountain Boulevard, Old Market Road, Radisson Inn Road, Radisson Road, Shady Hills Alley, Shady Hills Circle, Shady Hills Road, Shady lane, Shore Road, Sierra Circle, Silver Lake Trail, Sweetwater Circle, Sweetwater Court, Sweetwater Curve, Waterford Circle, Whitney Circle, Vine Ridge Road, Waterford Court, Wedgewood Drive, Mallard Lane, Teal Circle, Enchanted Lane, Dellwood Lane, Enchanted Dr, Enchanted Cove, Shady Island Road, Shady Island Cir, Shady Island Pt, Radisson Entrance Road

The Public Works Department trims overgrown trees and bushes, as well as, mows grass and weeds within the City’s right-of-way. Traffic sight lines at intersections and street signs should be unobstructed. If you observe a situation where sight lines or signage are blocked, contact the Public Works Department at 952.960.7900.
NOTE: Tree trimming to keep overhead power lines clear is conducted by the electric company providing the service (Xcel Energy), not the City.

Snow Plowing Policy
Winter brings two weather conditions, snow and ice, that affect our street safety. In order to efficiently and effectively clear City streets during snowfall conditions, residents are asked to refrain from parking on City streets until plowing is complete. When snowfall accumulates over two inches, all city streets are plowed edge-to-edge. Ice control measures are also performed at stop signs, hills, bridges and some necessary road curves throughout the entire City. During heavy snowfall conditions, cul-de-sacs will be cleared initially for car passage but not cleared edge-to-edge until snowfall has stopped.

Plowing all streets requires several hours. Please be patient and use caution when driving in winter conditions.

• Check your mailbox
  The City will not replace mailboxes that are damaged from the force of the snow coming off the plow. Snowplow operators pay close attention to avoid mailboxes and other obstacles within the rights-of-way. However, in the event a plow makes contact with the mailbox or support post, the mailbox will be repaired or replaced with a standard mailbox. The US postmaster requires that mailboxes be 42" from the street to the bottom of the mailbox. Residents are responsible for clearing their mailbox area of snow to insure mail delivery.
• Shovel Fire Hydrants
  The Fire District asks residents to shovel out fire hydrants near their homes. Keeping hydrants clear of snow substantially reduces the time it takes firefighters to get into service to put out a fire.
• Salt and Sand Barrels
  To help keep your driveway and walkway safe, residents of Shorewood can purchase a 50-gallon barrel filled with a sand and salt mixture. The cost is $40. Beginning in November, residents may send a check payable to City of Shorewood, along with your request (including your name, address and phone number) to: City of Shorewood, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331.
  The Public Works Department will contact you to schedule a delivery time.

Snow Plow Safety

Snowplows travel much slower than the posted speeds. As in most large trucks, the driver’s field of vision is severely restricted to the immediate rear from the cab of the truck. The driver must rely on mirrors to see to the rear and to the side. Mn/DOT offers these safe driving tips for travelers negotiating roadways during snow storms:

• Turn on your headlights and turn off your cruise control.
• Slow down! Allow at least an eight-second interval between your vehicle and a snowplow.
• Stay behind the snowplow. The road behind a snowplow will be safer to drive on.
• Never drive into a snow cloud.
• Test the road surface frequently throughout your trip by tapping your brakes. Black ice is invisible and may be present in some areas, but not others.

Educate your children about snow plows. MnDOT has a great online video for kids, including safety tips for outside play.

Street emergencies consist of anything that obstructs traffic such as downed trees, damaged street lights or signs in the road rights-of-way, flooded or washed-out streets, malfunctioning traffic signals, plugged storm sewers, etc.

If you experience any of these street emergency situations during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, please call 952.960.7900. If it is an emergency and occurs outside of these hours, please page our emergency staff at 612.818.5916. A representative will return your page as soon as pos