Snow Plowing and Salting

City crews begin applying salt to roadways when unsafe traveling conditions are expected. Rock salt is the most efficient and cost-effective method of snow and ice control for small amounts of winter precipitation. The amount used is based on total accumulation, temperature, and traffic conditions.

Naperville uses a priority plowing system for its 1,500 lane miles of roadway during winter weather. Crews begin plowing once measurable snow has accumulated on paved surfaces and snow is still falling. Main traffic routes are addressed first, followed by residential side streets, cul-de-sacs, alleys and dead ends.

Some roadways in Naperville are maintained by outside agencies. Below is a list of these agencies and the major roads they maintain. 

• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): 847-705-4000
  • Ogden Avenue (Route 34), Route 59
• DuPage County: 630-407-6800
  • 75th Street, Hobson Road, Raymond Drive, Plainfield/Naperville Road, Naper Boulevard/Naperville Road north of Ogden Avenue, Mill Street north of Ogden Avenue, Diehl Road west of Mill Street, Chicago Avenue east of Charles Avenue
• Will County: 815-727-8478
  • Hassert Boulevard east of Route 59, 95th Street east of Plainfield/Naperville Road

Stay Informed about Weather-Related Service Changes

• Sign up for garbage and recycling service alerts using Groot's mobile or web app and receive a push notification, email, or text alert from Groot regarding holiday collection schedules and delays in collection due to weather events at naperville.groot.com.
• Get updates about weather-related service changes on the City’s Facebook and X accounts.
• Sign up for the Naper Notify Winter Operations community notification category to receive information on weather-related service changes. To create or update your account or see which community notifications you currently receive, visit napernotify.com.

The approach and frequency of notifications about snow removal operations and service impacts will vary based on the event.

Parking and Property Responsibilities

• Do not park on the street during a winter snow event. Parked cars hinder plowing and leave behind large patches of snow and ice.
• Shovel snow from driveways into the parkway, not the street. Shoveling snow and ice into the street creates dangerous conditions and is a code violation.
• Keep fire hydrants, utility meters, and mailboxes accessible by clearing snow around them.
• Maintain clear sidewalks for pedestrians and students walking to school. Sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours of a weather event when a snowfall exceeds 2 inches or ice accumulates.
• Ensure sump pump discharges are not run onto the sidewalk or street to prevent freezing water.
• Remove leaves, trash, and other debris from storm drains to help prevent street flooding when snow melts.

Travel and Safety Tips

• Stay informed. Follow trusted weather sources for storm timing and impacts.
• Avoid travel when possible. If you must go out, slow down, allow extra travel time, and give snowplows plenty of space.
• Use extra caution during the morning and evening commutes when traffic is heavier and conditions can change quickly.
• Be patient. Cold temperatures and blowing snow reduce the effectiveness of salt, and roads may remain snow-covered and slick even after plowing.

Snow Control in Downtown Naperville

Every year, the Department of Public Works hauls snow piles out of the downtown area to keep parking spaces open, visibility safer, and to reduce icy and hazardous conditions for pedestrians.

This year, snow will be hauled out of the downtown area into the garden plot parking lots on West Street (west of Edward Hospital). Most snow loadouts occur during the daytime hours the days after it snows; however, large-scale loadouts during and after major snowstorms may take several days to complete and/or occur during nighttime hours. Nearby residents may hear some noise from equipment used to pile snow when these loadouts occur.

Salt Conservation

Naperville is committed to the safety of our motorists as well as the stewardship of the DuPage River and our environment. Conserving salt usage can help make a big fiscal and environmental difference. Residents can help in this effort by taking some simple steps to reduce the amount of salt used on driveways and sidewalks:

1. Salt before it snows. Applying salt before it snows helps prevent snow from sticking to the pavement, makes shoveling easier, and helps prevent the need to reapply.
2. More salt does not equal more melting. A 12-ounce coffee mug of salt should be enough to cover 12 squares of sidewalk, or about 300 square feet.
3. Most salt stops working if the temperature is under 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying it at lower temperatures won’t melt ice.

Please consider doing your part to help conserve the natural beauty of the DuPage River. Salt less, save more!