PennDOT Urges Homeowners to Winterize Mailboxes

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. –  PennDOT and the U.S. Postal Service are both expected to deliver during the winter season... come rain, sleet, snow, or all of the above.  The location of your mailbox along the roadway can affect the efficiency of both mail service and snow plowing operations.

Where is your mailbox located?  Your letter carrier will make every effort to deliver the mail.  However, if the mailbox is not accessible to the carrier due to snow buildup, or if it is not properly located along the roadway, you may have to pick up your mail at the post office.  PennDOT allows property owners to place mailboxes within the limits of the legal right-of-way, out of respect for the U.S. Postal Service's need to deliver, and mail customers' convenience of delivery.  But because those boxes are within the right-of-way, damages are the responsibility of the property owner.

Normally, if a box is placed as far from the shoulder of the roadway as the carrier can reach from a vehicle, and the mailbox rests on a firm support, the box should be able to withstand the windrow of snow from the plowing operations.  Be sure your mailbox has a strong support.  You may also wish to use reflective tape or other material to make it easier to see during storms or during dark hours.

Plowing operations can push snow against or in front of mailboxes, limiting access and perhaps causing damage to supports.  If the mailbox support is within the highway right-of-way, it's the owner's responsibility.  Check your box and support often, clearing snow from it and depositing the snow properly and in a manner to allow you and motorists proper sight distances (and never on the roadway).  Homeowners who have followed these tips in the past and have still experienced damaged mailboxes may wish to consider installing a cantilevered mailbox support that will swing a mailbox out of harm's way.  (Plans for building the cantilever mailbox support are available by request.  Just send an e-mail requesting the plans to:  rmason@state.pa.us<mailto:rmason@state.pa.us> )

If you have questions as to the proper location of your mailbox along the roadway, contact your local post office.

PennDOT urges your cooperation in winterizing your mailboxes for the snow season.  Taking steps to ensure the visibility and stability of mailboxes will help PennDOT and letter carriers deliver their best each winter.