515 E. Main Street Van Wert, Ohio    -    Phone (419) 238-1237

The Street Department is responsible for maintaining all 56 miles of existing streets within the city.  In addition, the department maintains alleys and storm water lines within the city and provides other public services, such as collection of leaves and branches blown down by storms.  The department responds to citizen input about various problems, including maintenance of alleys and fallen tree limbs that inhibit traffic.  Resident input is an important aid in selecting and prioritizing the alleys that are to be graded during the year.  Pictured is a road grader which is small enough to be operated within alleys.

The street department normally begins the year during cold weather months with snow removal, maintenance of equipment, and high priority assignments.  As spring arrives, the department seals street cracks, repairs crumbling storm catch basins, and aggressively fills potholes.

As warm weather approaches and priorities lessen, streets are swept, alleys are graded, and entire catch basins are replaced.  Larger patching projects using hot mix are also completed after other departments finish digging to repair water lines, gas lines, and utility tap-in projects.  When mosquitoes become a problem, the Street Department sprays "Mosquitomist One" throughout the city. 

As fall arrives and the weather cools, street asphalt contracts and causes pavement problems.  Then the priority for street sealing escalates, along with other seasonal services such as leaf removal for city residents.