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Winter season is here and we want you to be prepared. To learn more about how the City of Gary is handling this winter, and how you can prepare, read the information below or download the plan below.
Download the Full Plan
As winter approaches, the City of Gary is committed to maintaining safe and accessible roadways for all residents and visitors. Our Snow Removal Plan is designed to effectively and efficiently address the challenges of snow and ice removal, ensuring that our community can navigate the season with minimal disruption. However, successful snow removal requires more than just city resources; it depends on the cooperation, patience, and understanding of our residents. By working together, we can ensure safe, clear roads for all while minimizing the winter hardships on our community.
The City of Gary has in its jurisdiction approximately fifty-two (52) square miles, four hundred thirty-four (434) road miles and two hundred alley miles. The General Services Department prepares year-round to ensure that our city is well-prepared for winter storms and snow removal, and is committed to keeping streets clear and accessible for residents, businesses, and emergency services alike. With a dedicated fleet of vehicles ready for 24/7 operation and support from our snow removal partners and contractors, we are fully equipped to manage winter conditions effectively and efficiently.
Factors such as snowfall rate, moisture content, temperature fluctuations, sleet, freezing rain, and storm duration all contribute to the planning process. This allows us to adapt to each unique weather event.
Our preparation involves ensuring our fleet readiness, maintaining an adequate salt inventory, and continuously monitoring weather conditions. In coordination with our snow partners, we pretreat overpasses, bridges, and flood-prone streets ahead of impending snowfall to mitigate hazards and ensure safer travel.
The Snow Control Team is comprised of directors and manages in Public Works and at a minimum will perform the following operations:
In response to extreme winter weather events, the city will activate its Snow Command Center at 900 Madison Street. This centralized hub will provide real-time support and communication, coordinating efforts efficiently to ensure public safety and effective resource management. Snow Command will remain operational until the emergency weather conditions have subsided, facilitating rapid response and continuous updates to address the challenges posed by severe weather.
Keeping the public informed is critical to ensuring effective snow removal operations. Residents are updated continuously through various communication channels including social media, the City of Gary website, local news outlets, and the Gary Access Channel.
The Department of Communications works in tandem with Public Works to provide timely information, whether it’s a request to remove parked vehicles, announcements of street closures, or notifications of snow emergencies. Citizens can also report issues or concerns by calling City Hall at (219) 881-8311 and via the 311 platform.
DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS – GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WINTER PLAN
During the winter season, our mandate is to keep City of Gary streets safe and passable as soon & as safely as possible.
The City of Gary has in its jurisdiction approximately:
The Division of Public Works, led by the General Services Department, prepares year round to handle winter weather that affects the entire City. City vehicles/crews run 24/7 if needed to meet the needs of the Community. During the winter months we monitor weather conditions closely and before the onset of snow and ice, our team is prepared to minimize the impact of inclement winter weather.
The General Services Department coordinates the long-range plan for snow removal. The rate and accumulation of snowfall, moisture content, presence of sleet and freezing rain, temperature change during and after the storm, time of day or night, storm duration, and intervals between storms—all interact to make each weather event unique. Accordingly, the General Services Superintendent and Foreman have the responsibility and authority to develop and implement plans specific to real-time conditions. They know the availability of staff on a 24/7 basis during the winter season. They know the readiness of snow and ice removal vehicles & equipment, and consult with the Vehicle Maintenance Department on repairs and purchases. They advise Public Works on staffing needs and salt supply.
Requests for snow plow service during snow events can be made through the 311-phone app, visiting gary.gov/311 or by calling (219) 881-1311. Requests are logged and reviewed periodically by snow removal supervisors. While our snowplow operators follow established priorities based on existing policies, any hazardous conditions or new snow accumulation in high-priority areas will be addressed immediately.
Residents should be aware that non-emergency concerns will be reviewed after primary objectives have been met, ensuring that resources are used efficiently during severe weather events.
No Parking Snow Routes are listed below. Vehicles parked on these routes when snow accumulation exceeds two (2) inches will be towed by the Gary Police Department to ensure efficient snow removal:
The City of Gary uses pre-treated salt to prevent ice accumulation on roadways. This year, we’ve purchased 4,000 tons of salt, which is applied when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. Depending on the conditions, the General Services Department proactively applies salt to prevent snow and ice from bonding to road surfaces.
Snow removal prioritizes Main Roads (primary thoroughfares), followed by Secondary Roads (feeder streets), and finally Residential Side Streets. Our goal is to maintain mobility throughout the city, clearing snow as early as possible and returning later to ensure the streets are safe.
Crews start with primary routes and proceed through all of the secondary routes. When these streets are plowed one time, the crews return, by priority,, to the streets that need to be “re-plowed”. Removal efforts will continue until safety hazards caused by snow and ice have been eliminated.
The amount of snow and/or ice and the duration of the storm affects the time it takes to complete the work on each street. Therefore, a specific completion time cannot be given.
Snow removal from streets often results in snow being deposited at the end of residential driveways. To reduce the amount of snow pushed into your driveway, residents and businesses are asked to pile shoveled snow on the right side of the driveway (facing the street). This helps operators avoid carrying snow across driveways from the upstream portion of the street. Do not place shoveled snow onto the roadway.
In addition to General Services, other City departments and partners provide essential support during snow removal. The Gary Sanitary District plows streets in the Black Oak section along with neighborhoods on the far west side of the city. The Police and Fire Departments assist with plowing in the vicinity of the police and fire stations along with responding to emergencies. The departments of Parks, Demolition and Recycling partner with General Services to remove snow from city buildings, park pavilions and bus shelters. Gary Airport staff typically assist with plowing Airport Road (Bridge Street to City Limit).
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is responsible for snow and ice removal on major highways within the city, including SR-53 (Broadway) and US-12/20. INDOT operates a fleet of vehicles and monitors weather conditions continuously to ensure state highways remain safe during winter storms.
Navigating the winter season requires a collective effort. We thank our residents and businesses for their cooperation and patience as we work to keep our city safe and accessible during and after winter weather events. Every step taken, whether moving vehicles, allowing crews to pass, or simply showing patience with delays, helps make our snow removal efforts more effective. By prioritizing clear communication and efficient snow removal operations, we aim to minimize disruptions and ensure that roads remain passable throughout the winter season.
Regular updates will be provided via social media, the City's website and Government access channels to keep the public informed of changing conditions, snow emergencies, and parking regulations. We encourage all residents to stay alert, follow safety guidelines, and cooperate with snow removal efforts to keep our community safe and mobile during severe winter weather.
When the temperature is 32 degrees or below, the Warming and Cooling Center Program will activate the Center. Warming centers are only open when the temperature reaches 32 or below during the extreme weather conditions
DOWNLOAD COG WARMING CENTER 2024 (PDF)
(Women, Children, and Men)
4101 Washington St. Gary, IN
6:00PM-7:00AM
(Women, Children, and Men)
1900 W. 41st Ave. Gary, IN
Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM
(Men Only)
2120 Broadway Gary, IN
• Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow, or just don’t go.
• Clear: Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.
• Inspect: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
• Time: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
• Kit: Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle, including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and a first-aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.
When driving in winter weather, watch out! Mother Nature has some tricks up her sleeve in the winter. Here are some to be on the lookout for:
• First Snow or Ice: Drivers often aren’t prepared for winter driving and forget to take it slow. Remember to drive well below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between cars.
• Black Ice: Roads that seem dry may actually be slippery – and dangerous. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas – all are hot spots for black ice. Remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
• Limited Visibility: Stay attentive and reduce speed. Know what’s going on around you.
• Four-Wheel Drive: On snow and ice, go slowly, no matter what type of vehicle you drive. Even if you have an SUV with four-wheel drive you may not be able to stop any faster, or maintain control any better, once you lose traction. Four-wheel drive may get you going faster, but it won’t help you stop sooner.
Here’s what you need to know about driving around snowplows:
• Distance: Give snowplows room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the centerline or shoulder. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution and beware of the snow cloud.
• Speed: Snowplows travel below the posted speed limit. Be patient. Allow plenty of time to slow down. Remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
• Vision: A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they don’t always see you. Keep your distance and watch for sudden stops or turns.
• Speed: The faster you’re going, the longer it will take to stop. When accelerating on snow or ice, take it slow to avoid slipping or sliding. Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
• Distance: Give yourself space. It takes extra time and extra distance to bring your car to a stop on slick and snowy roads. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Brake: Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
• Control: When driving on ice and snow, do not use cruise control and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. When merging into traffic, take it slow. Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide.
• Vision: Be aware of what’s going on well ahead of you. Actions by other vehicles will alert you to problems more quickly, and give you that split-second of extra time to react safely.