Why isn’t my street plowed? Here’s what to know about snow removal in Anchorage.

If it has recently snowed and you’re wondering why your street hasn’t been plowed yet, here are ways to figure out what’s going on.

The city maintains an interactive map that tracks the status of snow removal in Anchorage. If it snows 4 inches or more, officials will declare a “plow-out,” which sets a 72-hour goal for plowing all city-maintained roads and sidewalks. The interactive map shows the status of the plow-out.

More heavily trafficked roads are a higher priority than smaller collector streets, neighborhoods and sidewalks. Here’s the snowplow priority plan for 2018.

The city and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities share responsibilities for plowing Anchorage roads. The DOT handles highways and for major roads like Northern Lights Boulevard. The city’s Street Maintenance department deals with smaller collector streets and neighborhoods.

Unhappy? You can file a complaint about snow removal or other problems on the city’s #ANCWorks! website. City officials recommend using the online system. Or, call the city’s Street Maintenance dispatch center: 907-343-8277.

[In snowy winter, Anchorage city workers dig out mailboxes and battle snow-pile rule-breaking]

To contact the state of Alaska about maintenance on state-maintained roads, call 907-338-1466. For Matanuska-Susitna Borough roads, call 907-745-2159.

The city is not responsible for clearing snow from driveways, and property owners can't shovel, blow or plow snow into the street or onto sidewalks. Snow removed from private property has to stay on the property or be hauled away.

What are the rules about removing snow from private property? Here is a copy of a notice you might receive if you're doing it wrong.

[Oddly soothing: Watch as a plow clears a snow-blanketed Anchorage street]

Sidewalks are lower on the priority list than roads. Check this map to see the priorities for removing snow from bus stops, sidewalks and trails.

General information about summer and winter road maintenance can be found on the city’s Street Maintenance website.