Snow Removal

Snow Removal Priorities

Streets are divided into four basic categories: primary arterials, collectors, local, and courts.

• The primary arterials are Green Street, maintained by the Town of Brownsburg, and U.S. 136, which is plowed and/or salted by INDOT.
• Collector streets that provide access to work or school are the second priority for plowing and/or salting after the highway.
• Local streets - or neighborhood through streets - are plowed and/or salted after the collector streets are cleared.
• Courts and alleys are the last to be plowed and are typically some of the most difficult, given their size and obstructions.

The Street Department works to clear an entire street before moving on to the next. Depositing some snow in private driveways is unavoidable for the plow trucks when plowing town streets. Plow drivers make every effort to keep the amount of snow deposited into driveways to a minimum. 

Parks & Trails Snow Removal

Priority roadways are addressed around Brownsburg first. Once local streets are cleared, crews will then turn their attention toward park facilities, including roads, parking, walkways, and trails. 

We appreciate your patience as it may take a few days to clear trails and walkways.

Please note, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail. If you notice a vehicle that is not marked "Town of Brownsburg" or "Brownsburg Parks" on the trail, please call (317) 852-1100. 

When a major winter weather event is in the forecast, department staff is reorganized to allow 24-hour coverage. In addition to the Street Department, staff members are brought in from Water Utilities, Development Services, and the Parks Department to assist with snow plowing.

The Department has a multi-level plan of attack for a snow event. Depending on the intensity of the storm and the number of trucks available, a level of service is chosen. The Street Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent update the plan annually to include new streets and any improvements in performance from previous years.

Snow plowing will begin when at least two inches of snow has accumulated. When the forecast calls for snow, crews will begin anti-icing treatments on primary streets to get a layer of brine against the pavement.

However, anti-icing treatments cannot be used when rain is at the leading edge of a snow event. This is because rain dilutes the solution, making it less effective. 

If accumulations exceed two inches, crews will begin plowing as they spread de-icers. However, during intense storms, de-icer spreading will be discontinued, and teams will plow until snowfall stops.

If Property Damage Occurs

If, while clearing snow, a truck damages your yard or mailbox, please contact the Street Department at (317) 852-1113 to schedule repairs. You may also send us a message. We will make repairs as soon as possible. This may mean that you may have a temporary mailbox until a suitable replacement can be installed, weather permitting.

In Hendricks County, the County Commissioners may issue a travel advisory during a snow emergency. 

Residents can get emergency information from the Hendricks County Emergency Management Agency or on Facebook at Hendricks County Emergency Management Agency.

The Hendricks County Emergency Management Agency lists the following travel advisory levels: 

• Advisory Level Travel Advisory: Indicates hazardous roadways with blowing, drifting snow. Ice may also be present. Drivers are encouraged to use caution. 
• Watch Level Travel Advisory: Indicates hazardous, icy roadways with blowing, drifting snow. Only essential travel is recommended. 
• Warning Level Travel Advisory: Roadways are impassable, and snow plowing cannot keep up with the storm. Travel is restricted to emergency management workers. Roadways are closed to non-emergency workers. 

Track statewide travel conditions with the Indiana Department of Transportation's Trafficwise Traveler Information Portal. 

Snow Removal Tips

Please keep the following tips in mind during the busy snowplow season:

• Do not park vehicles on the street to allow the plows to clear as much of the snow as possible.
• Wait until the street is plowed before you clear your driveway. This avoids having the snow plowed back into the space you just cleared.
• Do not pile snow in the street. This may create an unsafe situation and the Town may have to return and push that same snow back into your driveway.
• If it snows excessively, the Town may plow the streets more than once during the same snow event. Keep this in mind when you clear your drive before it stops snowing.

Sidewalks & Driveways

Residents should shovel snow into the yard, not into the street. Putting snow in the street creates an unsafe situation for motorists and pedestrians. Avoid double shoveling by waiting until after the street has been plowed to clear driveways.