Snowplow live tracking now available throughout Mat-Su

What you need to know: 

• Online snowplow tracking is now available throughout Mat-Su, allowing residents to view near real-time snow-clearing activity via GPS data from plow operators’ cellphones.
• All road contractors are now required to use the system, expanding on last year’s partial rollout.
• Contractors must plow streets after 4 inches of snow accumulation. Residents can report problem areas through the borough’s online problem reporter.

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PALMER — All Mat-Su residents will be able to track snow clearing in their neighborhoods this winter using the borough’s online snowplow tracker, officials said Friday.

The program uses GPS tracking through plow operators’ cellphones to log road maintenance on an interactive map hosted on the borough’s website. Progress data is posted with a 15-minute delay or when the plow operator regains service, Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials said.

The system first rolled out last year in about half of the region’s 16 road service areas. This season, all road contractors are required to participate in the program, said Chad Fry, who oversees the borough’s operations and maintenance department.

Snow totals during Mat-Su’s first winter weather event of the season varied widely across the region, according to the National Weather Service in Anchorage. Residents reported 6 inches in Big Lake, 2.5 inches in Palmer and Wasilla, and 0.5 inches in Sutton, officials said.

Thursday’s snowfall was the first chance for contractors to use the system this year. At least one contractor did not correctly track movements while plowing and sanding roads Friday, but will do so during the next winter weather event, Fry said.

“It was a slow start, but it should be across the borough this year,” he said.

Maintenance on Mat-Su Borough roads is provided by six road contractors operating under 16 contracts. The work is paid for through road service area taxes that vary by location.

Plows are not required to visit borough streets until snow accumulation reaches 4 inches, but crews must monitor roads and lay down traction sand as needed, according to the contracts. Crews are required to respond to reported problem spots within six hours, Fry said. 

Residents can report plowing needs, slick streets, or any other road maintenance issue using the borough’s online problem reporter, he said.

Tracking and maintenance requests are available on borough roads only. Roads maintained by the state and those within Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston city limits are not included.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com