When it comes to clearing roadways of snow and ice, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s primary responsibility is to interstates and four-lane divided primary routes essential to the movement of intrastate and regional traffic.
Other types of roadways, as outlined in the table below, are then prioritized based on the following criteria:
- Connectivity
- Traffic volume
- Trucking routes and major business avenues
- Importance to hospitals and emergency routes
Road-Clearing Priorities
| First | Routes in the Bare Pavement System, which generally consist of all interstate and four-lane divided primary routes and other primary and secondary routes considered to be essential to the fulfillment of the overall objectives of snow and ice removal – the movement of intrastate traffic |
| Second | Other U.S. and N.C. routes not included in the Bare Pavement System |
| Third | Other paved secondary routes not included in the Bare Pavement System |
| Fourth | Unpaved secondary routes |
Snow & Ice Removal
NCDOT crews have designated snow and ice removal routes that they must follow. Trucks traveling on roadways but not treating them are likely headed to their designated route.
NCDOT does not remove snow and ice from sidewalks, nor does it clear driveways or driveway entrances.
Quick Clearance
North Carolina law gives NCDOT and the N.C. State Highway Patrol authority to legally remove abandoned vehicles from the shoulders of roadways and highways.
Before or during adverse weather, abandoned vehicles might be towed to facilitate maintenance operations and to make roads safer for drivers who might lose control of their vehicles. The quick clearance also prevents potential damage to abandoned vehicles that could occur from maintenance operations (e.g., snow and ice being thrown against a vehicle) or the vehicle being struck by a passing motorist.
Vehicles off the roadway and not considered safety hazards are not immediately towed.
Drivers whose vehicles were abandoned within city limits can call their local police department. For vehicles abandoned outside city limits, drivers can contact the Highway Patrol at (919) 733-3861.