Lexington, KY, October 9, 2025
News Summary
In preparation for the upcoming winter snow season, Lexington is investing in additional snow removal equipment and hiring extra staff. Following significant complaints from residents after severe winter storms caused major disruptions in January, the city is taking a proactive approach. New strategies include procuring new snow removal trucks and increasing contractor support, aiming to improve snow clearing on both major and local roads. The city’s dedicated efforts include a prioritization system for street ranking and a budget exceeding $2 million for snow removal expenses.
Lexington is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming winter snow season by investing in additional snow removal equipment and hiring extra staff. This proactive approach comes in response to a surge in resident complaints following severe winter storms in early January that resulted in significant snow accumulation, causing widespread disruption, including school closures lasting nearly a week.
Rob Allen, director of streets and roads, has presented new strategies to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council aimed at enhancing the city’s snow removal capabilities. These strategies include the procurement of new snow removal trucks and the replacement of aging equipment. The city is also augmenting its resources by increasing support from contractors specialized in snow removal.
Two contractors are now engaged in clearing roads: Red River Ranch, a longstanding partner of the city, has committed to providing eight trucks on standby during winter events. Additionally, a newly recruited landscaping contractor is set to offer support by supplying up to eight more trucks if necessary.
To efficiently tackle snow removal, the city utilizes a priority-based ranking system that categorizes streets into four ranks. Rank 1 consists of major roads, while Rank 4 includes local streets. The city will begin clearing all ranked streets if snow accumulation reaches 4 inches. At 5 to 8 inches, unranked collector roads will also be addressed. Should snow levels exceed 8 inches, the city aims to clear as many streets as possible, including residential areas. These measures come after criticism regarding the city’s handling of lower-ranked streets during the past winter’s storms, which left some neighborhoods untreated.
This winter, Lexington has allocated over $2 million for snow removal expenses, with the rising costs leading to budgetary challenges. The city’s salt budget for the impending season stands at over $1.2 million, with provisions for purchasing an additional 11,000 tons if required. Current salt availability is at 8,800 tons, although the price has seen a significant increase, rising to $104 per ton from $88.99 recorded in 2021.
Lexington’s snow removal workforce comprises 68 commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers, with nine current vacancies, marking the lowest vacancy rate in recent years. In addition, eight supervisors and managers are on hand to operate snow trucks, supplemented by up to 11 CDL drivers from the parks and recreation division during snow events. Increased variability in winter weather patterns complicates the city’s planning efforts for snow and ice management.
The city is in ongoing discussions with Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) about the impact of winter weather on school bus routes. The city estimates that an additional 15 trucks and 30 drivers are necessary to comprehensively clear all school bus routes—a requirement that would incur costs exceeding $20,000 for each snow event. However, FCPS Transportation Director Daryn Morris has indicated that the school district is unlikely to alter bus routes during the current academic year.
In response to residents like Stephanie Clay, who have encountered significant transportation obstacles due to untreated neighborhood roads, city officials recognize the pressing need for improved snow removal in residential areas. Concerns have surfaced that neighborhood roads are often deprioritized compared to major thoroughfares, which can negatively impact essential workers who rely on public transit.
The city plans to make its complete snow and ice removal strategy publicly available on its website by the end of the month, aiming to keep residents informed of the measures being implemented to address winter weather challenges.
FAQ
What measures is Lexington taking to improve snow removal this winter?
Lexington is investing in new snow removal equipment, hiring additional staff, and increasing contractor support for snow clearance efforts.
How does the city prioritize snow removal on streets?
The city ranks streets from Rank 1 (major roads) to Rank 4 (local streets) and begins plowing based on snow accumulation levels.
What is the budget allocated for snow removal in Lexington this year?
Lexington has allocated over $2 million for snow removal expenses, with an additional salt budget of over $1.2 million for the upcoming season.
Key Features of Lexington’s Snow Removal Strategy
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Equipment | Investment in new trucks and equipment to replace aging fleet |
| Contractor Support | Collaboration with Red River Ranch and a new landscaping contractor for additional trucks |
| Street Ranking System | Prioritization of snow removal based on a four-tier system |
| Budget Allocation | Over $2 million allocation for snow removal, salt budget exceeding $1.2 million |
| Staffing | 68 CDL drivers, 9 vacancies, additional assistance from parks and recreation |
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
- WKYT: Lexington’s New Snow Removal Plan
- WTVQ: City of Lexington Snow Plan
- LEX18: Lexington Neighborhood Roads Untreated
- Fox56: Lexington Changes in Snow Removal Plan
- Wikipedia: Snow Removal
- Google Search: Lexington Snow Removal
- Google Scholar: Lexington Snow Removal Strategy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Snow Removal
- Google News: Lexington Snow Removal
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
