The Transportation and Mobility Department takes care of more than 930 miles of public streets, including main roads, collector streets and local residential streets. Plowing usually starts when snowfall reaches 2 inches or more. Crews begin with Priority One routes, which are the main roads, then move to Priority Two routes for emergency vehicle access, focusing on routes to hospitals, government buildings, and schools (if classes are in session). Residential streets are done last as Priority Three routes. The City of Bend does not maintain alleys and won't remove snow from them. Not every street can be cleared at the same time, and changing weather conditions can affect our snow-fighting strategy.

Snow plowing operations may place snow in your driveway. Snowplows are angled to the right to push snow from the centerline to the curb, which can deposit snow in driveways. Residents and property owners are responsible for removing this snow.

Snow may end up on your driveway after you shovel it. We understand the frustration this can cause and apologize for the inconvenience. If possible, wait to clear your driveway until the snowplows have passed. Snowplows may return to make multiple passes, clearing streets curb-to-curb for parking and drainage. There are over 40,000 driveways in the city, and it would take several days to clear them all if we spent just 60 seconds per driveway. 

Snow Removal Tip: 


To minimize snow berms in front of your driveway, clear a wide apron in front and to the right of your driveway or walkway (when facing your property from the street). Clear an area to the right of your driveway before the street is plowed. This will reduce the amount of snow pushed onto your driveway. Pile snow on the downstream side of the driveway and behind the sidewalk to prevent the snowplow from moving it back into your driveway or onto the sidewalk. 

Narrow public rights of way can be impacted more than wider areas. Snow may end up on the sidewalk you just shoveled. We understand this can be frustrating and apologize for the inconvenience. If possible, wait to clear your sidewalk until after the snowplows have passed. Snowplows may return to open streets curb-to-curb for parking and drainage.

Snowplows are emergency vehicles and typically do not exceed the posted speed limit. They may appear to be driving fast due to engine noise and the sound of the plow scraping the pavement. Snowplows move faster on open stretches to push snow farther off the road, ensuring space to stack the snow. Please do not follow snowplows too closely and give them plenty of room.

Snow cannot be pushed into or across the street from private property, including private streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks. Violating this rule is a Class B Civil Infraction.

Residents and property owners must remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall stops, and within 6 hours for commercial properties. If you have a fire hydrant in front of your property, you are responsible for removing snow around it, as well.

If your mailbox is struck by a City or contractor snowplow, contact the Transportation and Mobility Department at 541-323-5980 during business hours. Non-standard mailboxes placed in public rights of way are at the owner's risk. Snow removal near mailboxes is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. 

Do not landscape with rocks, bricks, timbers, shrubs, or other items in the right of way. Irrigation in the right of way is done at the owner's risk. Keep irrigation heads away from curbs and sidewalks to avoid damage from snowplows. Report any damage to curbs or sidewalks to the Transportation and Mobility Department at 541-323-5980.

The Transportation and Mobility Department works closely with the Bend Police Department and Bend Fire Department. In an emergency requiring snow control assistance, plowing crews are pulled from their regular routes to respond as quickly as possible.

Snowplow operators work hard to clear the streets quickly and thoroughly. Driving a snowplow is demanding and tiring work. For safety reasons, each driver should take a 30-minute break every four to six hours. It's dangerous for both the driver and the public if a fatigued driver is behind the wheel. Taking breaks is in everyone's best interest.

We wish we had enough snowplows and drivers to clear every street right away, but resources are limited. We follow a carefully planned system for clearing the streets. Main arterial streets are plowed first, followed by collector streets, and then residential streets. Snowplows stick to their assigned routes to keep operations effective and efficient.

Unfortunately, we can't give you an exact time for when your street will be cleared. Weather conditions, emergencies, traffic congestion and available resources can all affect our snow-fighting strategies. We often need to adjust our plans to deal with drifting snow, ice or other specific problems.

Snowplow operators follow assigned routes. If they spread sand continuously to their destination, they would run out before completing their route. Sanding is focused on steep grades, stops, railroad crossings, roundabouts, curves and other areas where it's needed most.