Jamestown Crews Clear Priority Streets Monday; Residents Reminded of Snow-Removal Ordinances

City public works crews spent Monday clearing priority streets after a blustery weekend left packed snow and drifting across Jamestown, focusing on keeping emergency routes, main thoroughfares and downtown corridors passable. The cleanup aimed to restore safe travel for residents, school buses and local businesses following difficult driving and walking conditions.

The work on Jan. 19 concentrated on priority streets - arterials, downtown approaches and routes serving hospitals and other essential services - with plows and crews tackling drifts and compacted snow. Photos from the operations show city plows pushing snow to the edges of roadways while residents used shovels and snow blowers to clear sidewalks and driveways. Municipal crews prioritized sections where visibility and access had been most compromised by wind-driven snow.

For pedestrians and homeowners, the city reiterated existing expectations for snow removal. Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property, and residents are asked not to place shoveled snow back onto streets that have already been cleared. City ordinances outline those responsibilities and the practical guidance is intended to keep sidewalks safe for schoolchildren, seniors and people walking to work or transit stops.

The clearings helped reduce hazards created by compacted lanes and curbside drifts that can force vehicles into opposing lanes or block sight lines at intersections. Local businesses noted that keeping downtown corridors open allowed deliveries and customer access to continue with fewer interruptions. Residents pictured in the coverage were assisting neighborhood cleanups, helping to clear sidewalks and driveways where wind had reclaimed previously plowed areas.

City crews said follow-up work may be deployed if winds shift or additional drifting occurs, and residents should anticipate intermittent plow activity as crews move through remaining streets. Officials also reminded property owners to keep fire hydrants and access points free from piled snow where possible to aid emergency responders.

As the community finishes the immediate cleanup, the emphasis is on cooperation: crews will keep priority routes open, and residents are expected to clear adjacent sidewalks and avoid re-depositing snow onto cleared streets. Continued attention to those basic steps will help Jamestown return to normal traffic patterns more quickly and keep sidewalks safer for everyone as winter conditions persist.