Highways and Bridges

Shelton Highways and Bridges Department
41 Myrtle Street
Shelton, CT 06484
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 2:30 pm
Telephone: 924-9277

The Highway and Bridges Department maintains most of Shelton's infrastructure. 35 employees staff the department. The department maintains and repairs over 210 miles of city streets which includes curbing, paving, street sweeping, brush cutting, pothole repairing, and cleaning and repairing 4,000 catch basins and over 60 miles of sanitary sewers. During winter, snow removal from streets, parking lots and school sidewalks, road sanding, ice control and storm cleanup are all provided by this department. They install street and traffic control signs and maintain the City's 130 pieces of equipment and vehicles. I addition, they coordinate garbage and recycling collection, household hazardous waste collection,, and collect leaves each fall for the composting program.

Snow and ice removal from city streets is one of the most visible/vital functions performed by the Department, and is subject to the most variables. We strive to be expeditious and efficient in the removal of snow and ice from city streets, municipal buildings and commuter parking lots. Various control procedures have been established to ensure effective service is provided to arterial and residential streets.
The City is divided into 22 plow routes, each with its own primary and secondary routes. Primary routes and bus routes receive priority attentions during snow and ice control operations. These routes are treated so as to achieve bare pavement as soon as possible following the conclusion of a snowstorm. The department's objective is to have all primary and secondary routes treated and or plowed within 12 hours following the conclusion of a snowfall.

During snow and ice conditions, emergency calls from the Police and Fire Departments regarding accidents, medical or other emergency conditions are given priority. Requests for treating non-priority streets during a snow event generally cannot be honored. We ask all citizens to recognize that snowfalls do not discriminate in the creation of treacherous road conditions. The conditions that prompt a call about poor road conditions probably exist throughout the City. Rerouting equipment in response to such a call disrupts the pattern that is designed ultimately to clear the entire City of hazard. It is the responsibility of the City Highway Department to provide an adequate driving surface as soon as possible following the onset of a snowfall.

At the onset of a snowfall, the efforts of the department are initially directed toward priority routes. Upon completion of the designated priority routes, the department moves on and begins treatment of secondary streets with hilly and curved areas. Next flat secondary routes are spot salted with emphasis at intersections and stop signs. Streets in residential areas are considered lower priority and are spot salted after priority and secondary routes are completed.

A most frequent complaint from residents is that their driveways and sidewalks have been plowed full of snow by the plows. While this is an inconvenience, it is necessary if streets are to be cleared for travel in a timely, cost- effective manner. If snow and ice are allowed to remain on the streets, it causes poor drainage and deterioration of asphalt. Safety is another factor. Many streets are bordered by parking spaces. Allowing snow to pile up can create a hazard by forcing parked cars closer to traffic as more snow accumulates. Therefore, plow drivers will try to clear the streets to the curb line. To minimize the frustrating problem of the snowplow covering your driveway with snow after you've just shoveled it, stand facing the street and shovel snow into the yard instead of into the street. Depositing of snow or ice onto any public street or sidewalk is prohibited. Snow must be kept on the property it comes from. Snow from your driveway may not be taken across the street. This also applies to private vendors who plow for fees. This is against City Ordinances and you may be fined.

We are asking all residents to be patient in the event of a snow storm. The plows will get to your street as quickly as possible. However, your patience is of utmost importance. Everyone would like their road or street plowed first; however, we have limited crews with a limited amount of trucks and plows. PLEASE understand our crews are trying their best to accommodate everyone, however, we cannot do it all at once. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING