Here’s a look at what to expect regarding snow removal from Detroit area streets

Who moves what snow?

The City of Detroit’s Department of Public Works maintains 673 miles of major roads and 1,884 miles of residential streets in the city. (If you added those all up, that would be enough roadway to get you to Denver, Colo., and back.)

Freeways are maintained by the Wayne County Road Commission. 

State trunklines such as Michigan, Woodward, and Gratiot are maintained by the State of Michigan.

County roads such as Outer Drive, W. McNichols, and W. 7 Mile are maintained by Wayne County. 

The City also has 50 miles of protected bike lanes on segments of Cass, Conner, Jefferson, Livernois, Michigan, Trumbull, and Warren.

How does it happen?

Detroit’s DPW has 70 trucks in inventory. There will be more than 50 trucks on the streets for each snowstorm. 

The City uses a three-level system for snow removal during the winter weather.

Level 1: 3 inches or less of snow and/or freezing rain (80% of Detroit snowstorms fall into this category on average)

• DPW crews remove snow only from major thoroughfares by salting streets.
• Bike Lanes will be salted.
• All roads will be cleared for vehicular traffic within 24 hours of the snowfall stopping; all bike lanes will be salted within 36 hours of the snow stopping.

Level 2: 3 to 6 inches of snow

• DPW crews will remove snow only from major thoroughfares by plowing and/or salting roads.
• Bike lanes will be plowed and salted as needed; snow from bike lanes will either be pushed to the curb or hauled away, depending upon the volume of snowfall.
• Highest priority roads will be cleared within 24 hours of snow stopping; all major roads and bike lanes will be cleared within 48-72 hours of snow ending.

Level 3: 6 inches or more of snow

• DPW crews will plow and salt on major thoroughfares.
• Bike Lanes will be cleared after vehicle travel lanes have all been cleared of snow; accumulated snow in bike lanes will be pushed to the closest intersection and hauled away.
• Contractors will be deployed to plow residential streets.
• Residential streets will be plowed at least 16 feet wide, within ½ inch to the ground
• The City may declare a Snow Emergency, which can be used to restrict parking along previously identified major corridors

Parking restrictions, snow Emergencies, and what’s expected of citizens

Roadways that have been identified as snow emergency routes will have signs posted up to 48 hrs in advance to prohibit parking that would inhibit  plowing. Residents will also receive notices for street clearing via the media, as well as the City of Detroit website and cable channels.

In extreme weather, the City may declare a snow emergency, which will allow police to ticket and tow illegally parked vehicles on snow emergency routes. Removing these vehicles will provide access for the streets to be plowed from curb to curb. During this time, any streets that have been marked by red and white signs are the first priority for snow removal.

Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for maintaining their sidewalks in a manner that makes it safe for pedestrians. Snow removal companies and property owners are prohibited from putting snow from their property onto public roadways.

Source: City of Detroit