We have had a lot of snow in Southern Ohio this winter which has left our roads hazardous on multiple occasions. While out driving, or attempting to drive those roads, you might have found yourself wondering who was responsible for plowing the road you were driving on. The entity responsible depends on the type of roadway and where it is located. Here is a general explanation of who plows what here in Ohio…
City Street or Alley: The incorporated municipality where the roadway is located would be responsible for plowing. Most municipalities would only plow areas INSIDE their corporation limits so there might be areas where a road goes in and out of the corporation limits and, as a result, might be plowed then suddenly not plowed and then plowed again. Inside the Chillicothe city limits, the City of Chillicothe would be responsible for plowing public roadways.
State Routes, US Routes & Interstates: The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) would be the primary agency responsible for plowing state and US routes throughout the state of Ohio, as-well-as Interstate highways. Some municipalities might also plow these roads inside their municipal boundaries. As an example, the state of Ohio would be responsible for plowing US Route 23 here in Ross County. They would also plow Interstate 71 over in Fayette County.
County Roads: In Ohio, the county engineer’s office handles plowing county roadways.
Township Roads: Generally, the township trustees handle plowing township roads however, they might contract it out to another entity if they don’t have their own equipment.
Parking Lots: If it is a city parking lot, the city or a contractor working for the city, would plow it but if it is a privately-owned parking lot, snow removal would be handled by the owner.
Those are the basics of how to figure out who is responsible for plowing a road. Also, be aware that these entities plow what they deem as the most important roadways first. Those would be high traffic roadways. Roads with a lower volume of traffic are a lower priority.
If you find yourself driving on a road that hasn’t been plowed, slow down and take your time. It is better to get wherever you are going late than to be involved in a car accident.
And, if you need any help this winter, contact us at Warren Law Firm…
