The Highway Division is responsible for maintenance of the town’s roads and drainage systems throughout the year, including winter snow and ice removal. The Highway Division also responds to other emergency and non-emergency situations as needed.
Road Maintenance
- Patching of failing areas of pavement
- Filling of potholes
- Replacing damaged pavement and berms
- Grading of gravel roads
- Crack-sealing roads to extend pavement life
- Patching of trenches from water breaks and town drainage work
- Sweeping sand and debris from roadways
- Repair of guard rails
- Responding to resident concerns over various situations
Maintaining Drainage Systems
- Rebuilding of deteriorating catch basins
- Placing new catch basin
- Installing new drainage pipe at problem areas throughout the town
- Cleaning of existing catch basins
- Flushing out various problem drainage systems
Public Safety
Another important aspect of work performed by the Highway Division is the maintenance of town signs, roadway striping, and street signal lights. This includes:
- Replacing damaged or missing signs
- Installing new signs
- Repainting of crosswalks, stop lines, and road centerlines
- Maintaining and repairing town signal lights
These items are extremely important in order to maintain a high level of public safety. The Highway Division also administers the town’s waste-oil recycling and hazardous material disposal programs.
Motor Equipment Repair
The Motor Equipment Repair section of the Highway Division maintains the Department of Public Works’ fleet of vehicles, performing maintenance and repair of town cars, trucks, plows, sanders, and heavy equipment.
Before the Storm
Depending on the weather, forecast and other conditions, we may pretreat major hills and roads with salt to prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the road surface.
During the Storm
Depending on forecast and conditions, salting will continue throughout the storm. Town plows will begin to plow major roads after approximately 2 inches of snow accumulation. Private plow contractors will begin to plow secondary and minor roads after approximately 3 inches of snow accumulation.
Roads are plowed in the following priority: major roads first, then secondary roads, and finally minor roads and dead-ends. During a storm our goal is to keep roads passable for emergency vehicle access. Roads will be widened and cul-de-sacs are completed as soon as possible, but not before other roads are made passable for emergency vehicle access.
After the Storm
Plows will continue to clean and widen roadways until every road in town has been completed. Salting will continue as needed. Please be aware that it takes 4 to 6 hours to complete plow operations after the snow has stopped. Remember, the last thing that the plows do is push back the edges which widens the road and allows for future snow storage. We apologize for any snow this may place into driveways that may have already been cleared.
Under most weather conditions, the Town of Billerica uses salt that has been treated with magnesium chloride (no sand) to treat our roads. Sand is only used when road conditions and temperature require it. Though you may not be able to see sand on the road, that does not mean the road has not been treated with salt.
Please be aware that we have numerous plows and sanders working throughout town. They are clearly marked with Town Seals or Snow Contractor magnets on the doors. You may see plow trucks driving with their plows raised or sanding trucks not spreading salt. These trucks may be returning for fuel or salt or may be en route to their assigned areas.
Preparing Your Property
Prepare your property for snow removal by keeping fences, mailboxes, basketball hoops, bike / skateboard ramps, etc. away from the edge of the road. Please do not park on the side of the road and limit your travel if possible. Please be aware that the Town of Billerica will not be responsible for any damage resulting from snow removal operations to fences, mailboxes, basketball hoops, bike / skateboard ramps, and similar items that are located too close to the roadway or are in poor condition.
Additional Information
Do not shovel, plow, or blow snow back into the roadway. Not only is this a major safety concern, it is also illegal.
Please be patient. We are going to plow every road as quickly as possible, however some roads must be given priority due to public safety concerns and plow route patterns.
Town of Billerica Snow Plow Rates
If you have any questions, please call our Highway Division at 978-671-0952.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call the Highway Division at 978-671-0952, with your name, address, phone number, and a description and location of requested repairs.
It’s about to start snowing what should you do?
- 1. Depending on the weather, forecast and other conditions, The Town may pretreat major hills and roads with salt to prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the road surface.
- 2. Prepare your property for snow removal by keeping fences, mailboxes, basketball hoops, bike / skateboard ramps, etc. away from the edge of the road. Please do not park on the side of the road and limit your travel if possible. Please be aware that the Town of Billerica will not be responsible for any damage resulting from snow removal operations to fences, mailboxes, basketball hoops, bike / skateboard ramps, and similar items that are located too close to the roadway or are in poor condition.
- 3. Make sure you stock up on batteries, groceries, and other necessary supplies. Make sure to charge electronics as well.
It’s snowing out!
Depending on forecast and conditions, salting will continue throughout the storm. Town plows will begin to plow major roads after approximately 2 inches of snow accumulation. Private plow contractors will begin to plow secondary and minor roads after approximately 3 inches of snow accumulation.
Roads are plowed in the following priority: major roads first, then secondary roads, and finally minor roads and dead-ends. During a storm our goal is to keep roads passable for emergency vehicle access. Roads will be widened and cul-de-sacs are completed as soon as possible, but not before other roads are made passable for emergency vehicle access.
I have an emergency!
- Power is Out? Call National Grid: 1 (800) 465 – 1212
- Accident or Tree in the Street? Call the Billerica Police (978) 671 – 0900
- They still haven’t plowed my street. Call Billerica Highway (978) 671 -0952.
The Storm is Over!
Plows will continue to clean and widen roadways until every road in town has been completed. Salting will continue as needed. Please be aware that it takes 4 to 6 hours to complete plow operations after the snow has stopped. Remember, the last thing that the plows do is push back the edges which widens the road and allows for future snow storage. We apologize for any snow this may place into driveways that may have already been cleared.
Under most weather conditions, the Town of Billerica uses salt that has been treated with magnesium chloride (no sand) to treat our roads. Sand is only used when road conditions and temperature require it. Though you may not be able to see sand on the road, that does not mean the road has not been treated with salt.
Please be aware that we have numerous plows and sanders working throughout town. They are clearly marked with Town Seals or Snow Contractor magnets on the doors. You may see plow trucks driving with their plows raised or sanding trucks not spreading salt. These trucks may be returning for fuel or salt or may be en route to their assigned areas.
Please call the Highway Division at 978-671-0952, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the location of the pothole. In the event of an emergency repair please contact the Billerica Police Department at 978-671-0900.
Street sweeping occurs each year from late spring through late autumn. Every attempt is made to sweep all streets in town, however, we are not averse to taking requests.
Please call the Highway Division at 978-671-0952, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the location of the clogged basin or clogged drain.
The Highway Division makes every effort to plow all town streets. This effort begins when snow depth reaches 2 inches. Typically plow operations are completed within 4 to 6 hours after the end of a snow storm. The main roads and hills are given priority; secondary roads are plowed by private contractors hired by the town when 3-inch depths are reached. Contact the Highway Division at 978-671-0952 to report any street inadvertently missed.
Contact the Highway Division at 978-671-0952 to request that a street be treated with sand or salt.
The Town does not provide sand or salt to the public, however we do have sand barrels located throughout Billerica at problem areas.
To report a missing sign, please contact the Highway Division at 978-671-0952 during normal business hours with the location and description of the missing sign.