Public Works Department (Highway Dept.)
Seasonal Information
Contact Information
A Snow Plow... Cool!
Stearns County Public Works would like to promote a program available to our local schools within Stearns County dealing with children snow plow safety issues.
This program is targeted towards 2nd or 3rd grade students. It encourages young children to play safely in snow by staying away from roadways and snow plowing equipment.
There is also an 8 minute video telling the story of two 10 year old neighbors and their near - accident and learning experience about safety. Watch the video (in RealPlayer streaming format)
Last year we visited several elementary schools in the county. Again this year the Stearns County Highway Department is willing to have a snow plow driver bring their plow truck to your school and help the classroom teacher go through the program and the materials that are part of the presentation as well as show the snowplow truck to the group and discuss the equipment and controls.
If you are interested in this program or would like more information, please contact Chris at the Stearns County Highway Department at 320-255-6180.
Seasonal Road Restrictions go into effect on Stearns County Highways in the spring of each year. Posted axle weight limits control vehicle weights on posted roads. All county highways not posted are automatically 5-ton highways. All restriction limits are gross axle weights. No overweight permits will be issued to vehicles that exceed the posted limits.
2009 Road Restriction Map(1.54mb)
Message from Mitch
Mitchell Anderson, Stearns County Highway Engineer
Why Won't They Put Up "Children at Play" Signs?
An often-heard neighborhood request concerns the posting of generalized warning signs with "SLOW-CHILDREN AT PLAY" or other similar messages. Parental concern for the safety of children in the street near home, and a misplaced but widespread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection often prompt these requests.
Although some other states have posted such signs widely in residential areas, no factual evidence has been presented to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds or legal liability.
Studies have shown that many types of signs attempting to warn of normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If signs encourage parents and children to believe they have an added degree of protection, which the signs do not and cannot provide, a great disservice results.
Because of these serious considerations, California law does not recognize, and Federal Standards discourage, use of "Children at Play" signs. Specific warnings for schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities are available for use where clearly justified.
Children should not be encouraged to play within the street travelways. The sign has long been rejected since it is a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.
SNOW DUMPED ON ROADS - A PERIL TO MOTORISTS
The Stearns County Highway Department warns that plowing or shoveling snow from your driveways or sidewalk onto a public road can get you into trouble. Plowing or shoveling snow from driveways and sidewalks onto public roads and streets may be punishable as a misdemeanor (Minn. Statutes 169.42 and 160.27, subdivision 5).
Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $700 and/or a jail sentence of up to 90 days.
Snow dumped, plowed or shoveled onto a roadway can create a real hazard not only for motorists but also for snowplows. Even heavy snowplows have been damaged when hitting compacted and frozen snow deposited on the highways.
In some parts of the County, snow pushed onto a highway causes snowdrifts which are hazardous to motorists. The person responsible for depositing snow onto the highway may also be liable in a civil lawsuit if damages or injuries occur as a result of the action.
We urge residents, as good neighbors and motorists themselves, not to add to the hazards of wintertime driving in this way.
Snow and Ice - Stearns County Fact Sheet
Roadways
- There are 965 centerline miles of County roads that the Highway Department is responsible to maintain.
- Approximately 50 miles are gravel roads.
- 85 lane miles are maintained by municipalities under Municipal Maintenance Agreements.
Snowplow Drivers/Routes
- There are approximately 24 plow routes depending on weather conditions.
- The number of operators available does not allow for 24 hour coverage. Plows are generally sent out at 4:00 a.m. (St. Cloud area) or 5:00 a.m. in outer shop areas to provide coverage during morning rush hour traffic and, if needed, evening rush hour. Operators cannot be sent home early in anticipation of a storm.
Equipment
- The Highway Department has 26 dedicated plow trucks. The two oldest units are kept as spares in case of mechanical breakdown.
- The expected life of a plow truck is about 13 years. Since there are 26 trucks, this requires the purchase of two trucks per year on average at a cost of about $160,000 each.
- Plow trucks are equipped with underbody blades which are used to cut ice and reduce the amount of salt needed.
- There are six motor graders for use in severe conditions or as additional backup units.
- The expected life of our motor graders is about 20 years. With six units this requires the purchase of a new motor grader every three to four years. The cost of a motor grader is about $200,000.
Materials
- Every year the Highway Dept. contracts with the State of Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Venture for 2275 tons of salt which guarantees up to 120% of this quantity, and requires a minimum purchase of 80%.
- Every year the Highway Dept. budgets for 10,000 tons of winter sand.
- The Highway Dept. mixes salt and sand at a ratio of about 1:3 to 1:4 respectively for use on most roads. Straight salt is typically used in higher traffic areas around St. Cloud. The sand provides traction only and does nothing to melt the ice.
- The salt/sand mix is generally pre-wetted with liquid calcium chloride or brine solution to cause the material to stick to the road and to facilitate the melting action of the salt on the ice.
Mn/DOT Website for Road Construction Information
Mn/DOT Website for Road Conditions