Chicago Fleet Out Plowing Arterial Streets, Track Plow Activity

CHICAGO — Chicago residents can track snow plow activity in their neighborhood by following which streets are being cleared of snow in real time on the city’s Plow Tracker.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation has a fleet of nearly 300 snow plows and salt spreaders during the major storm system passing through the Chicago area Friday into Saturday morning. Up to nine inches of snow is expected to fall in parts of the Chicago area.

Snow removal crews will continue to plow and salt main arterial streets until the snowfall has stopped. Once the snow has stopped and the main streets are safe and passable, crews will shift to interior residential streets.

“Residents are asked not to deposit snow from sidewalks and driveways into the street; this will only create more challenges for plow drivers,” Ald. Matt O’Shea said in an email blast to 19th Ward residents.

Here are some more friendly reminders:

• When clearing snow, please try not to shovel into the street.
• When possible, lend a hand to neighbors with sidewalks and parking spots.
• If there is a fire hydrant near your home and you can, please clear the snow so that it can be accessible to the Chicago Fire Department in an emergency.
• Watch for falling ice on homes, buildings, and trees.
• Check in on your elderly neighbors during this time.

Click here to view the Plow Tracker to see where plows are and where they have been.