Casper's streets are classified as arterial, collector, and residential. Arterial streets are thoroughfares, and collector streets are the side streets that intersect thoroughfares. For snow and ice control the Streets Division uses the following priorities:

• Class "A" Routes
  Class "A" covers emergency access routes and major arterial streets. These routes include collector streets serving hospitals, schools and other streets that may require emergency vehicle access. De-icer will be applied to travel lanes.
• Class "B" Routes
  Class "B" covers minor arterial and collector streets. These routes include some emergency and minor collector streets. These streets will be serviced after Class "A" service levels are completed. De-icer will be applied only on hills, curves, signalized intersections and otherwise hazardous locations.
• Class "C" Routes
  Class "C" covers all residential streets. Plowing will be done on Class "C" routes where drifting or snow depths make the streets impassable, after service on Class "A" and "B" routes is completed or as directed by the City Manager. Class "C" service consists of providing minimum service necessary to allow traffic to move safely at a restricted rate. De-icer will only be applied at hazardous locations.
• School Routes
  School routes will be serviced as a Class "A" when school is in session. When school is not in session, these routes will not be plowed unless designated as a Class "B" route.

Plowing Procedures

• Plowing to the Sides

Plowing to the sides of the street is generally done when snow accumulation is approximately three inches or less on all routes.  It may be inconvenient at first but does allow the streets to dry sooner. Dry streets make the streets safer for the motoring public and reduces repair costs, as dry streets reduce potholes and ice build up.

In some areas, the snow will always be plowed to the sides.  These are areas where there is ample room for the snow such as barrow ditches, vacant land, or when the streets are too narrow to accommodate windrows.  The one-way sections of 12th and 13th Streets, some State highways, designated streets around Wyoming Medical Center, and streets in some business areas are always plowed to the sides.

• Plowing to the Middle (Windrows)

Plowing to the middle is generally done to clear a pathway throughout the city that accommodates emergency vehicles and the motoring public during snowstorms where snow accumulation is over three inches.

The snowplowing crews will attempt to open all snow route intersections as they go.  This is not only increases snow removal efficiency it also allows for safer turning--motorists will not need to cut through the windrow. 

Once the storm is over, the crews will begin removal of the windrows.

Windrow Etiquette and Other Safety Tips

Cutting through windrows and knocking down windrows can result in vehicle damage, personal injury, and cleanup delay.  Windrows often contain vehicle hazards such as large rocks and large ice blocks that cannot be easily seen. Snow that is scattered back into traffic lanes especially on arterial streets becomes a priority removal, as they are emergency vehicle routes. Snowplows will leave collector and residential streets to service arterials. In the best interest of everyone's safety, it is recommended that motorists use the windrow openings instead of creating their own.

If you happen to get behind the snowplow crew, please be patient.  The city's snowplow crew will allow vehicles to pass on the right when it is safe to do so.  Avoid the snowplow's blind spot by staying four car lengths behind the snowplow. Avoid serious accidents. Never pass the snowplows by using oncoming traffic lanes.