HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
2011 Road Work Schedule
The Road and Bridge Department work diligently to remove snow to make our roads clear and safe. The township is divided by areas and is systematically worked to get the job completed.
High priority roads are first during snowstorms receiving one pass each way to provide access for residents and emergency vehicles. After the snow has ended, street and cul-de-sacs in subdivisions are then cleared. After the snow has stopped, crews return to try and clear snow curb to curb or to edge of pavement. This is based on the amount of accumulation. Accumulation can limit where snow can be placed and if roads can be fully opened. In minimal snowfalls, plowing operators salt or cinder at curves and intersections that have stop signs.
Residents and snow removal contractors are prohibited from depositing snow or ice from private property to any public roadways, sidewalks or against fire hydrants. Residents should notify their snow removal contractors of this requirement. The township does not do private driveways.
Damage to mailboxes does sometimes happen during heavy snows. The township will replace a mailbox that has been established damaged by the township. Replacement is limited to standard mailboxes and a post available at a local supply store. Replacement will be completed weather permitting. The township does not replace elaborate decorated or custom made mailboxes and posts.
Residents should be aware that the down-side to plowing roads is that snow ends up in driveways. Drivers must follow township policy and can not plow driveways or entrances. This procedure is not allowed to give the best snow removal possible in the fastest manner to residents. The township gets many calls for snow removal contractor names. A list has been created and 3 names have been submitted for contact:
-Kenny Paoni Cell 416-5530
-Vernon Carlow Cell 502-6592
-Mick Lascody Cell 306-5697.
To be added, please contact the township at 523-4210.
In Clear Lake Township there are troublesome areas with drifting snow. Those areas with this type of snow drifting are broken through at the driveway areas by the township or have snow fences supplied.
Conditions sometimes require delays by the township to get around to all areas quickly. Blowing and drifting snow will sometimes delay time to subdivisions and secondary roads.
Residents needing medical assistance can call 911 or Sangamon County Sheriff's office. Otherwise they can leave a message at 523-4210.
Clear Lake Township's Road and Bridge Department maintains approximately 60 miles of road and 14 subdivisions. The department consists of a Road Commissioner also known as a Highway Commissioner and two full time employees. This area covers the functions of the department and information on Street Repair, Drainage Ditches, Culverts, Private Driveways, Snow Removal, and other Jurisdictions.
The main functions of this department consists of:
Street Repair
& Maintenance
Every year the Road Commissioner publishes the list of road work to be completed within the Township. This notification is the only notification given to the residents. It is very important that if maintenance or repairs are being done in your area, to yield to these work areas to protect the safety of our employees and to protect vehicles and roads from damage.
CULVERTS
Homeowners should contact the Township if they would like to install a culvert. This applies to whether you, a private contractor or the township will be doing the installation.
Proper installation is important to ensure the proper pitch is determined for installation and that the system will operate at a maximum efficiency both on your property and the drainage area.
The township does charge to install a culvert. Residents are asked to call the office and the Road Commissioner will visit the site and quote a proper sized culvert and the costs involved in the installation.
Private Driveways
Drainage Ditches
The two most common complaints are "There's standing water in the ditch in front of my home," and "My culvert is clogged". Ditch and culvert systems are in place to handle the right of way and property drainage. They are designed to collect moisture from the pavement and elevated property, and drain into the proper areas. These drainage areas are the responsibility of the residents and the township.
Residents are responsible for keeping leaves and debris from building up. It is not recommended for residents to burn in drainage areas. This helps keep the debris from clogging culverts and drainpipes. Ditch maintenance by the homeowner includes raking leaves, mowing grass and removing debris. If you do get a clog, usually water pressure from a garden hose should be enough to clear it. However, if dirt and debris have become packed, it is advisable to call the Township for assistance.
Though ditches remove most excess rainwater, it is not unusual for a small amount of water to remain in a ditch until it is absorbed into the ground or evaporates; usually up to 20 days. This is especially true in early spring or late fall when water tables are higher and/or the ground may be frozen. If this occurs, call the township office so that we can inspect the area for problems.
Clear Lake Township does not oil, rock or blacktop any private driveways. If the Township is in the area, they will be happy to supply you with the name of the contractor who is working in conjunction with the township. When we are in the area, this contractor will usually charge for his services to add your private work to the job they are presently doing or to a list of who will be getting work done.
Other Maintenance Juridictions Within the Township
The township gives mutual aid to other governmental agencies. Residents must call that agency and not the township. The agency will call to arrange assistance from the maintenance department.
Sangamon County Public Health 535-3100
Sangamon County Complex 753-6600
Village of Riverton 629-9122
Village of Rochester 498-7062
State of Illinois 782-2347
Village of Spaulding 629-8188
Road & Bridge Department
ROAD COMMISSIONER:
Alex Lyons
EMPLOYEES;
Tom Dyer
Darin Whitten
SNOW REMOVAL
All roadwork & projects are subject to change due to weather and oil/rock prices.
Do you know what the average cost of a mile of road to oil costs?
1 mile by 20’ wide takes 3520 gallons of oil @ $2.47 a gal and 176 ton of chips @ $14.28 a ton.
1 mile cost excluding labor, fuel & equipment?
$11,207.68
DID YOU KNOW?
What does the average cost of one of the Townships truck cost for Snow Removal??
One truck with 10 ton of salt & fly ash cost $400.00. This does not include the costs of labor, fuel and the overtime.
SNOW EMERGENCY LEVELS
ORDINANCE
Modeling the snow emergency level ordinance adopted by the Sangamon County Board, Clear Lake Township adopted a snow emergency level ordinance on January 8. 2008.
In the last few years the area has experienced some extreme weather conditions which has warranted some actions. In the interest of public safety, the board has been discussing some type of snow emergency plan for several months locally and with Sangamon County. When the Sangamon County board adopted the snow emergency level plan the same basics were used for the Township to adopt a unified plan.
This ordinance allows a declaration to be made by the Supervisor and/or
Road Commissioner to declare a Snow Emergency during snowfall. The declaration is made after consulting with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, the Sangamon County Office of Emergency Management, the Sangamon County Highway Department and other departments or agencies as necessary. Required actions to be taken are based on the level of emergency that is declared. There are three levels:
Level 1 - Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy. Drive very cautiously and travel only if necessary.
Level 2 - Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and low visibility. This means that only people with a real important need to be out on the roads and streets should do so.
Level 3 - All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel.
Violations that hinder emergency operation may result in drivers being ticketed and/or vehicles being towed.
For example, a snow plow comes upon a vehicle abandoned in the middle of the roadway. This would hinder any emergency vehicle reaching a call and block snow plowing efforts. This vehicle would have to be removed. If a vehicle is parked on side of the roadway and it does hinder snow removal, as usual the plows will go around the parked vehicle. The vehicle will unfortunately get snow covered.
This warning level system will help keep unnecessary vehicles from being on the roadways when conditions are hazardous with snow, ice or drifting snow. It is not the Township's intent to issue tickets to anyone on the roadway or have vehicles towed. This ordinance is strictly for public safety. It serves as a warning advisory system for the public as to the road conditions. This will determine if you can safely be on the roadway and not hamper efforts to remove the snow or block emergency vehicles.
This policy was adopted to eliminate a multitude of problems and troubles for both residents, emergency vehicles and snow plow operators. It is not intended to determine whether you should or should not go to work, but does assist whether to attend sports event, run to the store, attend a class or to check on friends and relatives. It can also serve as a warning as to conditions, that in the past have resulted in loss of utilities, such as electric and heat and to be prepared to be home bound.
Once a Level has been declared, it will be announced in the media. Residents are asked to remember that it will be impossible to know the condition of every road in the Township. The levels will serve as guidelines for the majority of the roads and apply to the unincorporated areas only.
The removal of stranded or inoperable vehicles should be expedited so it does not hinder snow removal and emergency vehicles and force your vehicle to be towed or ticketed. Additionally, it saves the Township time and money. Blocked roadways often force snow plows off the road. This delays snow removal and puts trucks out of service. The township must suffer a cost of $500.00 each time a plow truck is towed or pulled out. This ordinance and the public's cooperation will assist to get roadways cleared as fast as possible and allow our snow plow operators breaks and rest during hazardous weather.
-Property purchased between Brickler & Bissell Roads. Construction of road will begin Spring 2011 with drainage, culverts and new road surfacing!
-Oakcrest Bridge: 40' deck bridge replacement. Federal funding has been approved. Project start date TBA.
OTHER GENERAL MAINTENANCE:
Patching Roads
Mowing & Brush Cutting
Tree Trimming
Ditch Work
Culvert Replacement
ROADS TO BE OILED:
CCX Road
Pet Cemetery Road
S. Oaklane Road
Cravens Road
SUBDIVISIONS TO BE OILED:
Polo Club Estates
Westview
Dean Park
Little Eagle
Country Towne Estates