Snow Plowing / Sanding / Salting

Safely Plowing Snow from Driveways

Plowing snow from driveways onto highways and streets creates a hazardous condition and is prohibited by law. County residents are urged, as good neighbors and motorists, not to add to the hazards of wintertime driving.

Snow dumped, plowed, or shoveled onto a roadway can create a real hazard for motorists and snowplows. The snow can create a slippery condition and contribute to the formation of snowdrifts. Compacted and frozen snow piles can damage cars as well as snowplowing equipment.

Snow dumped, plowed, or shoveled onto the road is in violation of Minnesota Statutes 169.42 and is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail sentence of up to 90 days.

Blue Earth County Snow & Ice Control

County residents are urged, as good neighbors and motorists, to assist County highway staff in maintaining safe wintertime driving. Public cooperation with the following is requested. 

• During severe snowstorms, all calls requesting emergency snowplowing assistance should be directed to the 9-1-1 emergency number.
• When meeting or following a snowplow, please give them room to work. A backing snowplow has very limited visibility to the rear.
• Residents with mailboxes are asked to consider replacing with swing-away supports. Suggested designs are available from the County highway office.
• Removal of large objects such as machinery and hay bales from near the right-of-way line is helpful. This reduces snow drifting onto the highway.

Your assistance and cooperation is very much appreciated by the County's highway maintenance workers and results in safer conditions for the public. Thank you!