City Ready to Keep Streets Safe During Winter Weather Conditions

City Ready to Keep Streets Safe During Winter Weather Conditions

Published on October 16, 2025

LTU now has 20 multi-use trucks to increase effectiveness and efficiency

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Liz Elliott, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) Director, today said the City is ready for winter weather, and LTU works all year on its plan to ensure safe driving conditions and keep traffic flowing smoothly in snowy and icy conditions. They outlined the winter operations plan at the City's brine facility where LTU makes the mixture applied to streets prior to winter storms to help prevent the buildup of snow and ice.

"Our City's commitment to preparedness and public safety runs as deep as the snow and ice we work to clear," Mayor Gaylor Baird said. "Our team researches, prepares, and trains year-round to ensure safe, efficient, and effective winter operations."

Director Elliott said LTU has continued to update its equipment and operations to help ensure fast and effective response when winter weather comes. Those updates include adding eight multi-use trucks to its fleet, bringing the total to 20 of those specialized vehicles. The trucks are equipped to complete multiple tasks - spraying anti-icing material, spreading granular salt pre-wet with brine, and plowing. Elliott said the multi-use trucks reduce the need to return to base to re-equip, allowing crews to stay on the streets clearing snow and ice.

The City fleet includes a total of 60 plows, and LTU may use as many as an additional 100 contractor plows for arterial and residential routes, depending on storm severity.

Elliott said LTU has 8,000 tons of road salt available, and the brine storage facility is full. LTU brews its own brine before winter storms, she said, saving the city $100,000 to $300,000 annually. This technology allows LTU to vary the combination of brine ingredients to match the severity of each unique storm.

To help the community monitor street conditions during active storms, the City offers a variety of customer service and education tools at lincoln.ne.gov/snow. They include the following:

• LTU emails daily winter operation updates.
• LTU posts on Facebook at @LTULincoln and on X at @LTULNK and issues timely media releases.
• The website includes educational videos on winter operations and a Frequently Asked Questions section.
• A Snowplow Tracker map that shows the City's plowing progress in real time.

The Mayor and Elliott said they also count on community members to do their part in helping the winter operation teams be successful. Residents are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Drive cautiously around crews clearing snow and ice.
• Avoid parking on streets during snow operations, even if no formal parking bans are in place.
• Plan for alternative parking options in anticipation of potential parking bans required for plows to effectively clear streets. In 2025, these bans prohibit parking on the odd-numbered sides of streets. In 2026, the bans shift to even-numbered sides of streets.
• Clear sidewalks, including curb cuts, and ensure fire hydrants and mailboxes are accessible.
• Consider joining the Snow Angels Volunteer Program, which offers snow removal assistance by connecting neighbors in need with volunteers willing to help. For more information and to volunteer, visit lincoln.ne.gov/snow.

Mayor Gaylor Baird also invited community members to participate in the third and final Name That Snowplow contest at lincoln.ne.gov/snow. Participants may submit snowplow names through November 5 and vote for the top 25 favorites in December. The winning names will appear on eight City snowplows.