Crews apply anti-icing fluid throughout the city on known problem areas and areas with significant moisture. Newcastle uses a snow-and-ice anti-icing routes map to determine where and when treatment is applied. Hot Spots are treated regularly when freezing temperatures, but no precipitation, are expected. When expecting snow or extremely low temperatures, the additional anti-icing Routes are treated. However, it's important to remember never to assume that ice is completely gone just because road treatments have been applied.

Newcastle uses a snow-and-ice priority map to determine which roads get plowed first. View it at newcastlewa.gov/snowmap. The priorities are numbered from one to five, with Priority 1 streets representing major arterial lifeline routes. We've added a Priority 5 in this edition, which represents mostly local streets with steep hills. During snow events, city crews’ first priorities are roadways that transport large volumes of traffic. Crews try and fit in neighborhood streets as they're able, but not before priority routes are clear.

For any snow or ice event, our number one goal is to keep designated priority routes in good winter driving condition. Priority routes are lifelines, major thoroughfares, and arterial roadways and streets.

Once the priority 1-5 roads are in good shape, our crews will then start working on the neighborhood streets. The first goal once neighborhood street plowing begins is to get the main road through a neighborhood passable. It is important to remember that our crews still have to maintain the priority roads. They may start your neighborhood and have to leave to do so.

Our crews and plows must work on priority routes first and then move on to working on the neighborhood hills and arterials. When snow continues to fall, plows will not be available to clear local residential and less-traveled roads as they must continue working to ensure major roads and transit routes are clear.

Newcastle has several miles to cover and limited resources, including snowplows, storage capacity for materials (anti-icer, sand, and salt) to treat surfaces, and maintenance personnel. Our priorities have to focus on ensuring accessibility for lifelines, main arterials and thoroughfares and main connector streets. We do not plow or treat private roads or driveways.

As we work to conserve materials and preserve equipment, it is not a reasonable expectation to have all streets clear down to bare pavement.

- The City has more than 135 cul-de-sacs. Plowing cul-de-sacs is time consuming. Our priorities have to focus on ensuring accessibility for lifeline routes, arterials, and main connector streets.

- Parked cars further complicate plowing efforts by disrupting the ability of the plow to move snow along a continuous path. This can cause piles of snow to be pushed to the curb in an undesirable location.

- Plowing effort in cul-de-sacs is also made difficult by a lack of place to put the plowed snow. Closely spaced driveway entrances, a close proximity of mailboxes along the curb line, fire hydrants, and median islands all limit where plowed snow can be placed.

It is the property owners' responsibility to clear snow off the sidewalk, driveway or parking lot in front of your residence or storefront (See Newcastle Municipal Code Chapter 12.70). Thanks for doing your part to help keep walkways clear for our community!

Snow removal and anti-icing are essential for safe vehicle and pedestrian travel throughout Newcastle; however, anti-icing can pollute our creeks and lakes if it is not done properly. The best way to remove snow and ice from privately owned sidewalks, driveways and parking lots is by physical means like shoveling and snow blowing. Although shoveling can be challenging, it is effective and does not cause environmental harm. Learn more about preventing pollution if you use anti-icer during storms here.

This is an unfortunate side effect of plowing. When snow plowing takes place, snow is not removed but rather pushed to the side of the road. Snowplow drivers will make every effort to avoid plowing snow onto sidewalks or driveways. However, there may be times that this cannot be avoided and sidewalks or driveways may become blocked. It is the property owner's responsibility to clear the snow. Please do not put the snow back in the street.

• First, please avoid driving if it's at all possible.

• If you do have to drive, take a moment to familiarize yourself with some winter driving tips. Read WSDOT's great list of tips and advice here.

• If there's space, please park all vehicles in your driveway or garage to keep roads clear for the snow plows. 

• If you live on a steep hill, consider moving your vehicle to a location that is more accessible ahead of the storm. Park at the bottom and walk up to your home or cul-de-sac.

• When shoveling or using a snow blower, please do not deposit snow back into the street.

• If you find yourself behind a snowplow, slow down and give the plow a little extra room.

Stay tuned to the City of Newcastle’s website and social media pages for the latest storm updates. This will be your best resource for news on waste collection delays, plowing progress and road closures. Bookmark newcastlewa.gov and follow us on our social media accounts. During inclement weather, we will post updates.