Tag Archives: snow removal

Mar 17

Who Maintains Your Street for Snow Removal & Maintenance?

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Broadlands Association, Inc. is only responsible to maintain HOA owned streets, not VDOT streets. Please click on the following link to see who is responsible for the snow removal and maintenance of your street so you know who to contact with any questions or issues:
https://www.broadlandshoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SnowRemoval.pdf

Jan 25

Evening Update and LoCo Information

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Our plow operators keep working day and night to attempt to clear passable lanes on HOA owned streets. Most of these crews have not seen their own beds, more than a few hours of sleep, a hot meal, or their families in over 80 hours.  They are putting in long hours to help keep you safe.

To give you an idea of the sheer volume of snow they are dealing with, the association is responsible for 1.2 million square feet of road surface to clear (This figure does not include any community building parking lots or sidewalks and trails). 36” inches of snow means 3.6 million cubic feet of snow to clear. 5 lbs per cubic foot means 18 million pounds of snow to move – or roughly 9,000 tons. Granted those figures take into account clearing curb to curb, which is not feasible at this time. With plowing one passable lane, this still leaves about 4,000 TONS of snow to move – with the added complication of finding places to put it all. Please be patient as they do their best to clear your roads.
Additionally, since Virginia is under a state of emergency, some of our heavy equipment has been commandeered by the state in order to provide emergency assistance.  Two tractors were pulled for medical bone marrow donor emergencies, and additional crews are working at this moment to assist the state with other emergency medical needs. (Note: the HOA is not billed for the times when the plows are working for anyone other than the HOA.)  Please understand that they have not forgotten you.  They will be back as soon as they are able.
We continue to receive inquiries regarding VDOT roads, which the HOA has no jurisdiction over.  Please review the road list at the following link prior to contacting the HOA to check the ownership and maintenance responsibility:  https://www.broadlandshoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SnowRemoval.pdf.
We understand that the VDOT phone lines are overwhelmed as well, but please continue to contact VDOT directly at 703-383-8368. The HOA staff and contractors cannot assist with VDOT owned streets.
If you find yourself in a true emergency situation, dial 9-1-1. 
Loudoun County Urges Residents to Be Patient as Snow Removal Operations Continue
 
Loudoun County officials continue to work with our state and local partners to support snow removal operations.  We recognize that many residents are frustrated with plowing operations in their neighborhoods and we ask for patience as crews continue to work to help get people moving again.
The significant amounts of snowfall have impacted crews’ ability to clear roads as quickly as Loudoun County residents have seen following snowfalls in the past. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has advised that crews continue 24-hour operations in area subdivisions. VDOT and its contractors, who number about 9,600, have about 48,000 miles of subdivision roads to clear in the Northern Virginia District. In many places, we should not expect to see bare pavement for many days due to the volume of snow that has to be removed.
County officials recognize that many residents are concerned about who is responsible for snow removal on their neighborhood streets. While Loudoun County Government has been doing all it can to support snow removal operations, the county does not plow snow on the vast majority of roads in our community. Here’s some information about who maintains/plows roads:
  • VDOT is responsible for snow removal on state-managed roads. These typically include major roadways, secondary roads and subdivision roads that are not managed privately by homeowners associations (HOAs) or private-contract, such as shopping center lots.
  • The Towns of Purcellville and Leesburg are responsible for plowing town-managed roads within their jurisdictions.
  • HOAs or property-owners typically manage snow removal in residential areas, such as around townhomes, condos, apartments, and on private property.
  • Developers are responsible for a small number of developments that are still under their purview because the roads have not yet been entered into the state system; in these cases, developers have responsibility for removing snow.
  • Loudoun County removes snow from a very small number of streets that are managed by the county government.
The difficulty of snow removal efforts during this historic snow event has been compounded by a number of other factors. For example, some snow removal equipment that is typically used by contractors on residential streets has proven inadequate for the volume of snow that has fallen. As a result, heavy equipment (that is typically used on major roadways and highways) must be brought in to get the job done, which has delayed the plowing of many residential streets. VDOT crews are working non-stop to clear the 16,000 neighborhood streets in Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties. Check for plow progress near your house.
VDOT advises:
  • Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel as low overnight temperatures likely will result in icy pavement conditions.
  • If residents have a serious emergency (i.e. medical or fire), they should call 9-1-1 and VDOT will work in coordination with emergency responders to get them the help they need.
  • Crews are asked to be mindful of pushing large piles onto driveways, but in an extreme storm it is an unintended consequence of making roads passable.
Call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at I-800-367-7623 for more information, including plowing and treatment of roadways.
Loudoun County Encourages Residents to Help  Each Other During Recovery Effort
 
Loudoun County encourages residents to work together as a community to help clear snow from sidewalks, trails, driveways and parking lots following the historic storm that dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas. In particular, please help neighbors who need assistance due to their physical abilities, health or other conditions.
While the, homeowners associations, and private contractors are primarily responsible for snow removal, Loudoun County officials recommend that where possible, neighbors, faith communities, and other groups organize shovel brigades to help people safely move around our county again as soon as possible. Please consider helping your neighbors who might be away from home on vacation. With school out Monday through Wednesday, youngsters can take a break from video games and other indoor activities. Those who are lucky enough to own a snow blower could volunteer to share the equipment for a community snow-removal effort.
As a reminder, please shovel snow with care to avoid injury and over exertion. In addition, the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management suggests residents and clear a three-foot radius around the hydrant, which helps firefighters to quickly spot the hydrant and access it quickly in the event of an emergency.
Jan 25

Monday Plowing Update

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We are receiving complaints regarding HOA streets needing additional plow service.  We continue to dispatch crews to all HOA owned streets and appreciate your patience as we work on our digging out efforts.  Crews have been on site for three days clearing out roads, but will continue to work until all HOA owned roads are passable.  The dedicated snow plow phone is overwhelmed with calls wanting to know when streets will be open, so if you do not reach a live person, please be patient and try again.

We also have relieved a number of inquiries regarding VDOT roads.  Please review the road list prior to calling to check the ownership and maintenance responsibility and contact the appropriate party.  We understand that the VDOT phone lines are overwhelmed as well, but please continue to contact VDOT directly.  The HOA staff and contractors cannot assist with VDOT owned streets.  The list can be found online at https://www.broadlandshoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SnowRemoval.pdf.
If you find yourself in a true emergency situation, dial 9-1-1.

Jan 23

Snow Plow Operations Update

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This is to provide a quick update to assure you that our crews have been out and working around the clock to try to keep a path clear on the private streets in Broadlands.  There are ten trucks, three tractors, a bobcat, front end loader, and over 25 people dedicated to clearing the streets and sidewalks in Broadlands.

However, this storm is historic in nature and our drivers have said it is worse than Snowmageddeon was in 2010.  The wet, heavy snow, high winds, frequent whiteout conditions, and massive snowfall rates in a short period of time make keeping up with the snowfall difficult.  The trucks have also encountered abandoned vehicles in the middle of roads that they must work around, and have even gotten stuck themselves at times.  Additionally, the plow operators are having trouble finding fuel locally, and are having to travel to Leesburg or Chantilly to fill up.  They have also been helping ambulances get into the neighborhood and emergency responders get out of the neighborhood to get to work.

They are asking residents not to shovel snow from their driveways into the roadways as this creates even more snow for the plows to try to push.  Please shovel snow off your driveway into your yard if possible.
We ask for your continued patience and thank you for your understanding during this crippling and historic storm.

Jan 22

January 2016 Blizzard Update

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The HOA office and Nature Center will close by 12:00 pm on Friday, January 22, 2016 in conjunction with the Federal Government.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you are well aware that we’re expecting a significant winter weather event this weekend.  Whether we get 12 inches of snow or 30, the impact will take its toll and we will be digging out for several days.  The governor has declared a state of emergency, schools have been canceled, and we are under a blizzard warning with heavy snow and wind expected through 6am Sunday.  Conditions will deteriorate rapidly starting Friday afternoon. I wanted to take some time to explain a little bit about what to expect in the coming days. Continue reading →

Mar 04

Snow Removal Guidelines

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snowSNOW REMOVAL ON STREETS

The Broadlands Association is not responsible for removing snow or treating state or county maintained (VDOT) roadways. The Association is only responsible for clearing snow from paved parking areas in townhome neighborhoods and HOA maintained roads in the community.

Snow removal will be performed when an accumulation of 2 inches or more has fallen on the ground. If you are not sure who maintains your street, please click on this document: SNOW REMOVAL STREET LIST.

Please use the following numbers for assistance with any snow removal questions or issues:

HELP MAKE SNOW PLOWING EASIER AND FASTER

When a snow storm has been predicted, especially overnight, the snow plows will be working during the early morning hours. The best way to ensure that the plowing crews can clear the streets better and faster is to park in driveways and parking spaces. In many of the townhouse and private streets sections, a vehicle parked in the street can severely restrict the ability of the plows to do their work. Help your community by parking in garages, driveways and marked parking spaces.Thank you for your assistance.

INCLEMENT WEATHER REMINDERS – Please clear your walkways

Both Virginia and Loudoun County Codes require that the occupant – whether an owner or a tenant – remove all snow and ice from any walkway adjoining any part of their property within 6 hours after the snowfall has ceased. If the snow or ice fell during the night, it must be removed by Noon the following day. Should the storm occur on Sunday, the accumulation must be removed by Noon on Monday. Failure to comply with the Code can result in a fine of $250.00 imposed by the county.Complaints should be reported to via the LEx – Loudoun Express Request form. To access this form, please visit http://iframe.publicstuff.com/#/?client_id=1295. Select “Roads and Transportation” then “Residential Street Safety”, complete form and submit.  Please be a good neighbor and a good citizen. Clear your walkways and keep Broadlands a safe environment for all our residents. If you know someone physically unable to keep their walkway clear, please consider giving them a helping hand.

SNOW STAKES

VDOT plows Claiborne Parkway, Broadlands Boulevard, and Waxpool Road/Truro Parish (among others). The large plows that are used on these main roads sometimes have a difficult time locating the edges of the roadways when they are snow covered, and they often run up the sloped curbs and onto the grass, skimming and damaging the surface of the turf. In an effort to assist the plows in identifying the edges of the roadways and keeping them off the turf, the HOA has installed snow stakes every 50ft along the main roads. This will benefit the community since the damage created by these plows is paid for from HOA funds. Generally, these stakes will remain installed from November through March during the snowy season.

STAY SAFE – Don’t Skate on the Community Ponds!

Please remember skating is prohibited on all community ponds. Even walking on any ice-covered pond can be very dangerous. The surface of the pond may appear to be frozen, but our winters are normally not cold enough to guarantee that the ice is thick enough to support anyone’s weight, even a child’s. Parents, please tell your children that it is extremely dangerous, even deadly, to walk or skate on the ponds in the community. Let’s keep our neighborhood safe!