Roads Division - Public Works Department

The Roads Division of the Public Works Department is responsible for maintenance of all Township owned roads, and includes:

• Snow removal
• Pothole patching
• Shoulder berming
• Shoulder weed mowing
• Weed spraying
• Asphalt milling and hot mix repaving
• Tar and chipping of road
• Storm pipe repairs and installation
• Catch basin repairs
• Right-of-way tree trimming
• Storm water pond repairs and trimming
• Guide rail repairs and installation
• Road reconstruction and in-house paving
• Street sweeping

Township Prepares for Upcoming Winter Season

As the Township prepares for the upcoming winter season, residents will notice some new equipment and techniques to battle old man winter. The Township will be using new techniques as a pro-active, anti-icing program. Anti-icing is a simple process of using salt brine (rock salt dissolved in water) to control snow and ice on the roads.

Visit our Snow Removal page for more information about the Snow Removal Season.

Residents will notice:

• Anti-icing materials will be sprayed onto the road before a snow storm (known as pre-treating);
• Anti-icing materials will be sprayed onto the salt as it is being applied to the road (known as pre-wetting);

Pre-Treating -- Pre-treating roadways is a strategy used in anticipation of a winter storm. Salt brine will begin working as soon as the first snow flake falls and will delay the accumulation of snow and ice on the pavement.

Pre-Wetting -- Once the snow storm is in progress, salt brine is directly sprayed onto the rock salt, as it is being applied by the salt spreader. This accelerates the melting of snow and ice, and helps the salt stay on the road instead of bouncing off the roadway.

The anticipated benefits of this new equipment is:

• Materials readily adhere to the roadway, instead of bouncing off the roadway;
• Materials begin dissolving the snow faster;
• Quicker melting process of snow, which means better service to the public.

Grant money was attained for this equipment and process by the Hempfield Board of Supervisors and Senator Kim Ward, through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Visit our Snow Removal page for more information about the Snow Removal Season.

Township Watching Road Salt Use This Winter

Road salt is getting more expensive and harder to find this winter, and the Hempfield Township Supervisors recently passed a policy to make sure the salt they have is used in an efficient manner. The Salt Distribution Policy focuses on addressing the amount of salt to use for each snow or ice event, and provides the Public Works Director the flexibility to prioritize routes and use a salt to anti-skid mixture for these events.

The Township of Hempfield works diligently to ensure that every ton of road salt purchased is used efficiently. We are telling our drivers that it is very important that they use salt efficiently, and not waste it on roads that don’t need it,” stated Supervisor Tom Logan.

The Supervisors have also established a partnership with Adamsburg Borough in relation to winter maintenance. Adamsburg is allowing the Township to store salt in its larger municipal garage, in exchange for the Township plowing and salting its 1-mile of roadway.

“This arrangement will help with fuel and additional storage. Our drivers in the western section of the Township will not need to drive all the way back to the main shed to re-supply during snow removal,” said Supervisor Bob Davidson. “The Adamsburg Council has been very cooperative and it works out as a win-win for both municipalities,” he continued.

Hempfield, on average, uses more than 12,000 ton of salt and anti-skid a year.

Did you know these facts about Hempfield Township Public Works Department - Roads Division?

• Hempfield maintains 300 miles of Township roads;
•  The storage building holds 3,500 tons of salt;
•  2010-2011 cost per ton of salt is $51.98 (price is adjusted monthly based on fuel costs);
•  Hempfield uses an average of 12,500 tons of salt and anti-skid per year;
•  Currently there are 25 snow routes developed;
•  There are thirty-three (33) drivers available for winter snow removal;
•  The Hempfield Public Works Department has the following snow removal equipment available for snow storms:
  •  Three (3) Tandem dumps with plows and spreads;
  • Twenty (20) single axle dumps with plows and spreads;
  •  Five (5) one-ton dumps with plows and spreads;
  •  Two (2) pickups with plows;
  •  Three (3) front-end loaders;
  •  Three (3) back-hoe loaders;
  •  One (1) road grader

State and County Roads in Hempfield Maintained by PennDot and Westmoreland County.

Although you may be a Hempfield Township resident, you may reside on a roadway maintained by the state or Westmoreland County. Therefore, Hempfield Township does not have any authority on these roads. 

Should you have concerns regarding state roads, you may also wish to contact your state senators or representatives. The Westmoreland County Commissioners may also be contacted for concerns on county roads.

The following roadways are not owned or maintained by Hempfield Township:

COUNTY ROADS: 

Maintained by Westmoreland County Department of Parks & Roads:
Phone 724-830-3955

STATE ROADS: 

Maintained by PennDot: Phone 724-832-5387

Return to Top