photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., Thursday, July 7, 2016

Crews are pretreating bridges and elevated surfaces across town in advance of anticipated winter weather tonight, the City of Lawrence announced Monday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible overnight.

The city will only begin snow and ice control for roads in residential areas after 2 or more inches of snow has accumulated or when icing occurs, according to a release from the city, and priority roadways are treated first before crews move into residential areas.

The city will de-ice streets down to the bare pavement when conditions are favorable, but the release notes that won’t be feasible during most winter weather events. The city is recommending staying home unless travel is essential, and is asking that vehicles be moved off of roads where possible to aid in city crews’ snow response.

The release also includes some reminders related to inclement weather. The owner of a property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk — not the city — is responsible for removing any snow or ice that accumulates there.

The city is requiring removal to take place within 48 hours after ice forms or snowfall ends. If removing ice is impossible, the property owner is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 48 hours. Community members who are physically unable to keep their sidewalks clear should visit the city’s website for more information about the Safe Winter Walkways Program.

Also, city crews will operate normal residential and commercial trash services as conditions allow, but if the weather is hazardous, operations will be suspended until the next day. Owners in commercial areas and parking lots will need to avoid blocking enclosures when having lots plowed, or crews won’t be able to empty containers.

More information about snow and ice control operations, including roadway prioritization maps, is available on the City of Lawrence’s website.