Peoria details expanded snow-removal plan, warns IDOT will maintain travel lanes on some state routes

Peoria's public works leadership presented the city's 2025—26 snow-removal plan on Oct. 28, saying route coverage will expand and operations will shift on several state-managed corridors. Deputy Director of Public Works Marrone told the City Council the city has increased snow routes from 21 to 23 and added eight tandem plow routes and four designated hill routes to speed clearance and keep priority hills passable.

The plan keeps the city's residential-plow trigger at 2 inches: once arterials are treated, crews will move into residential routes and will operate around the clock in two 12-hour shifts for major events. Marrone emphasized that the city does not guarantee "bare pavement" but aims to restore safe mobility within 24 hours after storms that drop 2–6 inches and within 36 hours for storms exceeding 6 inches, measured from the time snowfall ends.

A key operational change is that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will maintain travel lanes on certain state routes inside Peoria while the city will maintain parking and bike lanes where applicable. Marrone said the prior intergovernmental agreement with IDOT was not renewed and staff expect a trial-and-error period to coordinate timing and handoffs. He listed examples, including Western Avenue and portions of Lincoln, Howett and Knoxville avenues, and said IDOT's priority will be interstates and state routes.

Councilmembers pressed staff on standards and backup plans for hills and major arterials, GPS tracking for plow trucks and driver training. Marrone confirmed the city conducted in-house driver training for new hires and plans to continue close coordination with IDOT; he also provided public contact information including Peoria Cares and a prerecorded storm update line and gave IDOT's emergency line for state-route concerns.

Councilmember Cyr moved and the council unanimously voted to receive and file the presentation.