Street Maintenance

The N.C. Department of Transportation maintains these town streets:

• North and South West Hill avenues
• Oakdale Drive
• Dimmocks Mill, Eno Mountain, Faucette Mill, Harper, Locust, Orange Grove (west of Churton Street), Revere, St. Mary's and Tuliptree roads
• Allison, Churton, Cornelius, King, Mayo, and Nash streets
• U.S. 70A and U.S. 70 East
• N.C. 86 South

All questions and concerns about these streets should be directed to the N.C. Department of Transportation at 919-296-6080. This includes questions and concerns about signs; snow removal; and pavement, curb, and gutter repairs.

Plowing guidelines

Plowing is conducted to ensure emergency responders have safe and timely access. Public Works employees monitor snowfall depths on pavement for when and how to plow:

• 2 inches — Plowing begins. This depth ensures more effective snow removal and less damage to streets.
• 2 to 4 inches — Employees plow all town streets, giving first priority to the town's bridges, emergency services and the county refueling station within town limits.
• Above 4 inches — Employees concentrate all efforts on keeping the bridges, emergency services and the county refueling station clear until conditions allow them to plow the remaining streets within the town limits.

Plowing will be discontinued if it is ineffective or creates more hazardous conditions.

Responsibilities

The town's main thoroughfares are owned and maintained by the state. See the State-Maintained Streets section of this page for a listing of those roads.

In addition, some streets within town limits are private roads and are not maintained by the town. The town is not responsible for clearing driveways after plowing.

Parks, greenways and sidewalks around town facilities are not a priority for snow removal. Property owners are responsible for sidewalks in front of structures they own.

More information

See the map below and the Videos section on this page. Additional information on winter weather preparations and operations is available in the Cold Weather Resources section of the Ready Hillsborough page on this website.

Snow Removal Map

Traffic signals are not maintained by the town. For problems with traffic signals, contact the N.C. Department of Transportation online or at 877-368-4968.

Streetlights in need of maintenance should be reported to the service company. An address or pole number for the streetlight should be obtained.

If the streetlight is within the Duke Energy service area, notify the company by calling 800-777-9898 or by completing an outdoor lighting repair request form on the company's website.

If the streetlight is located within the Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation service area, notify the company by calling 919-732-2123 or by completing a contact form on the company's website. The affected pole will need to be marked with a ribbon.

Street and traffic signs are installed and maintained by the Public Works Department. Posters or other signage may not be placed on any sign or post.

Report problems by placing a work order by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

The town sweeps curb and gutter streets on the last Friday of each month. Street sweeping in residential areas begins at 7 a.m. and is usually completed by noon. Non-residential areas are swept earlier.

To ensure safety and effective sweeping:

• Maintain a safe distance from the street-sweeping truck during operation.
• Do not park vehicles on curb and gutter streets the last Friday morning of each month.
• Do not place brush, leaves or other vegetation on streets with curbing.

Report a blocked storm drain or broken or dislocated drain cover by placing a work order by email or by calling 919-296-9600. Please provide the specific location of the problem, such as the nearest street address or intersection. Call 911 to report conditions that pose an immediate threat to safety.

Illegal dumping into storm drains should be reported to the Stormwater and Environmental Services Division.

The town maintains drainage areas on town-maintained property, rights of way, and easements to ensure they remain free of growth and other obstructions that restrict water flow. Grass is mowed periodically, and trees are cleared to prevent roots from penetrating sewer lines. Erosion may require the town to install riprap, grass seed and straw or other erosion-control devices.

Before work is done on an easement, a letter is sent to the property owner explaining the purpose and approximate duration of the work to be performed. The advance notice gives property owners an opportunity to ask questions and to remove personal items prior to clearing. During clearing, a town employee is on site at all times to monitor progress and address community members' concerns.

Request maintenance by placing a work order by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

Public Works employees remove dead animals from town- and state-maintained roads within the town limits. The town does not remove animals from private property. Report a dead animal by placing a work order by email or by calling 919-296-9600. Call 911 to report conditions that pose an immediate threat to safety.