Streets Division

Public Services Streets Division strives to maintain the city's streets and right-of-way for the safety and security of the public. To report problems, please use our online forms at the right. Problems are only handled by Public Services if they are in the street or City's right-of-way, defined as the area from sidewalk to sidewalk. Other problems are the responsibility of the property owner. If you have questions please feel free to contact the Public Services Work Center at (607) 737-5750 or click here to send email.

Street Sweeping
The Department of Public Services aims to keep the City shining and clean at all times. Public Services Streets Division sweeps every day following the collection of your garbage, weather permitting. Streets are generally swept between the months of April and November.

Snow, Ice, and Salt Operations
The Department of Public Services works as quickly as possible during inclement weather to assure the safety and clearance of all city streets for the use of emergency vehicles and citizens.

As soon as snow, sleet or freezing rain starts to cause hazardous driving conditions, crews are deployed to remove the snow and immediately improve conditions. During the winter months, generally mid-November to mid-April, the Streets Division maintains snow watch shifts with several crew members covering the drive times -- 5am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Off shifts are covered with other staff who work in conjunction with the Elmira Police Department to handle icy intersections.

Click here for a Citizen's Guide to Snow Removal

Street Paving
Each year the City of Elmira inspects the city streets to keep them up to the standards set by New York State. The goal of the citywide pavement program is to meet or exceed New York State goals. We also strive to stabilize pavement conditions as measured by the percentages of pavement in poor and fair condition and by the average surface condition rating at no worse than the 1986 statewide levels. We maintain higher volume roads to an overall higher condition level than lower volume roads. If you notice a pothole on your street or any street in the City of Elmira, please call or email the Work Center. The Department of Public Services will send out a crew to patch the pothole. Depending on the season, the pothole is patched with either temporary filling or permanent filling. If the pothole is patched temporarily, DPS will permanently patch the area when weather permits.

Trees
If you need a tree removed or trimmed in the right-of-way adjacent to your property, please call or email the Work Center. The City will inspect your tree and property and determine the best course of action.


Street Lights
The Department of Public Services is responsible for lighting the entire City of Elmira roadways for public safety within the City limits. We repair any lights which are owned by the City of Elmira. In the downtown area of Elmira, street lights were replaced with new antique-style lights, with all electric installed underground. These new lights use less electricity and save money. If you notice a Street Light that is broken or malfunctioning, please use the Street Light Service Request Form to notify Public Services. Broken street lights create a public hazard and may use more electricity than functioning lights.


Traffic signals and street signs
The Department of Public Services maintains all aspects of traffic signals from changing bulbs to resetting the timing. If you notice a malfunctioning traffic signal, use the Traffic Signal Service Request Form to report it to Public Services for inspection and repair. Street signs are constantly being updated. Public Services repairs/replaces signs, as needed, due to accidents and/or weather. If you notice a problem with a traffic sign such as tree limbs in the way, graffiti, a missing sign, etc., use the Traffic Sign Service Request Form to report it to Public Services for inspection and repair. The Streets Division installs all new signage at the request of the Traffic Coordinating Board. Parking meters are also installed and maintained throughout the downtown area of the city's business district.

Traffic Calming Measures
In 2008, the City began an initiative to lower speeds in residential areas through the installation of speed humps on targeted City streets. The first speed humps were installed on Mt. Zoar Street near the City line with the Town of Southport and on Garden Road, West of Hoffman Street.

The speed humps are made of recycled rubber, and are designed to slow vehicles to 20mph. Signage is in place to warn motorists of the new traffic calming techniques. The two humps will be monitored to gauge their effectiveness on Mt. Zoar Street, a higher-volume residential thoroughfare, and Garden Road, a lower-volume roadway. If successful, more speed humps will be installed around the City.

The rubber humps can be removed in winter to avoid damage from snow plows.

Streets Programs
Public Services Streets Division is responsible for the Dial-A-Truck and Furniture and Appliance Pickup Programs. For more information about these programs, click here for the Sanitation Division.