It’s past the middle of November. The weather is getting colder. What does it mean? Winter is almost here.

This season usually means snow, and that means slippery or blocked roads and quality time with your windshield scraper.

Luckily for those drivers digging their cars out of 2 feet of snow, the DeKalb Street Department has a four-phase plan set up to remove snow from the streets and prevent traffic problems.

“We’ve done our winter preparation already, fixing potholes and cracks,” said John Conlin, assistant director of operations for the Public Works Department. “Next week we’ll be meeting with other city’s public works to work out jurisdiction issues and make sure everything gets plowed.”

Phase 1 involves salting major intersections, highways and major streets. This is done during freezing rain or during a snowfall of 2 inches or less.

The city recommends staying 100 feet behind a salt truck if drivers come across it, and to drive carefully during inclement weather.

Phase 2 includes plowing snow emergency routes, seasonal marked streets and alleys needed by the snow route system.

The Taylor Municipal Airport also is plowed during this phase.

During Phase 2, a parking prohibition is in effect along all marked snow emergency routes if it snows more than 2 inches within an hour. Parking along these routes can result in a $25 to $75 fine.

“We have to be able to plow all the way to the curb,” Director of Public Works Ralph Tompkins said. “If there’s cars in the way, we end up plowing up against the cars and blocking them in.”

If it seems it will snow overnight, park in a driveway to avoid the fine.

Phase 3 involves clearing residential streets that are part of the city’s snow removal program.

City ordinance prohibits pushing snow from parking lots or driveways into the street. The extra snow makes it harder to clear residential streets.

Final cleanup and removal of city streets is begun in Phase 4. Availability of equipment and personnel, weather conditions and street conditions determine how quickly this phase is completed.

The city offers this solution for residents who complain that after clearing their driveways of snow, plows drive by and put it right back.

It is suggested that people pile the snow on the right side of the driveway when facing the street. When the plow comes by it will push the snow placed at the edge of the street away from the driveway.

For information, visit http://www.cityofdekalb.com/press%20releases/winterhtml.htm.