Winter Weather Update: How We’re Preparing for the Storm

Winter Weather Update: How We’re Preparing for the Storm

With significant snowfall in the forecast, our Department of Public Works team is gearing up! Here is a look under the hood at how we manage 300+ lane miles of road and how you can help us keep Evesham moving safely. 

The storm is expected to arrive Sunday morning and continue throughout the day, into Monday.

The Public Works Recycling Center will NOT be open on Saturday, January 24, 2026, to allow Public Works Staff to prepare for the major storm expected to arrive Sunday.  The Recycling Center will resume Saturday operations on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Brine Time

You will see Public Works Trucks on the roads starting Friday. These trucks will be applying Brine—a 23% liquid salt-and-water solution used to pretreat dry pavement.

• The Goal: We aim to brine up to 48 hours before snow starts. This layer prevents ice from bonding to the pavement, making plowing much more efficient.
• The Catch: Brine only works if temperatures are above 18°F and the roads are dry. If rain is expected before the snow, we can’t brine because it would simply wash away.

The Truth About Salt

We use rock salt (Sodium Chloride) to lower the freezing point of water. However, salt isn't a "magic wand":

• How it works: Salt doesn't actually "melt" snow directly. Instead, it creates a brine solution that has a lower freezing point than pure water. The goal is to create slush for easy plowing or to melt existing ice by lowering the water’s freezing point.
• Cold Limits: Salt loses its melting power once temperatures hit 20°F and below. In extreme cold, we often have to wait for the next day's sunlight to warm the pavement enough for the salt to activate.
• Smart Salting: We also look for any residual salt that may still be on roadways from recent snow events before reapplying to ensure we are being both environmentally and fiscally responsible.

You will see Public Works Trucks on the roads Saturday to keep applying rock salt.

When Snow Starts

Evesham Township’s primary goal is passable roads for emergency access and cautious travel.

• Priorities: We clear Main Roads and County roads first. This is important to ensure emergency services and other necessary travel can occur. Once those areas are safe, then crews move into secondary roads and neighborhoods.
• Bare Pavement: During heavy storms, roads may not be cleared down to the blacktop until the snow stops, allowing us to perform "touch-up" passes.  Additionally, the sun is required to aid in the melting of snow and the activation of the rock salt present on the roads.  Extreme cold and areas with shade can take longer to melt.
• The Team: Evesham has 150+ miles of local roads and county roads, which means more than 300 lane miles! These include nearly 16 miles of County Roadways. To cover this ground, you’ll see more than just our normal public works crews on the road. You may see other vehicles helping us plow, like contractors in landscaping trucks or other seemingly unmarked vehicles.  They are working directly under Township supervision to meet our standards.  These support vehicles work under contact with the Township.
• Route 70 and Route 73 are State Highways.   These roadways are treated and plowed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
• Our Team will be working 16-hour shifts during the storm, to get you moving again.

How You Can Help

To help our drivers do the best job possible, please follow these tips:

1. Park Off-Street: Please keep cars in driveways so plows can clear the road "curb-to-curb."
2. The "Driveway Dilemma": Plows usually require at least two passes. While we try to avoid blocking driveways, snow displacement is unavoidable. Tip: Wait until the storm ends to do your final shovel of the driveway apron.
3. Don’t Blow Snow into the Street (or Sidewalk): Pushing snow back into the road creates a hazard and often results in the plow pushing it right back into your driveway! Please aim snow blowers toward your lawn instead.
4. Please remove portable basketball hoops from the street right of way. If they are left in an area where they can be damaged by our snow removal operations, we cannot be responsible for any damage.
5. Please remove trash cans from the streets during the snow plowing operations.
6. Please clear snow around any fire hydrants near your home. Hydrants are there for your protection and that of your neighbors.
7. Please clear your sidewalk within 12 hours of daylight after the snowfall or other inclement weather has stopped.
8. If possible, PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROAD during significant snow events. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, please leave the roads to DPW crews, first responders, and other essential personnel.
9. If you are on the roads during plowing operations, please provide extra distance from the plowing vehicles and please drive slowly.  Do not attempt to pass vehicles, while they are plowing.

Our goal is to get you back on the roads quickly, however this will take some time.  This storm will require us to remove approximately 20,000 to 40,000 tons of snow from our roads. Stay safe, stay warm, and thank you for your patience as our crews work.