DETROIT – As snow makes its way through Metro Detroit, the city of Detroit is reminding residents about its snow removal policy.
When does snow get plowed in Detroit?
In Detroit, crews only plow residential streets when snow accumulations reach six inches or more.
Crew will plow a 16-foot path down residential streets, and not curb-to-curb, according to the city.
Who does what regarding snow removal in Detroit?
Detroit’s Department of Public Works maintains 673 miles of major roads and 1,884 miles of residential streets. Contractors will clear residential streets.
The Wayne County Road Commission will clear freeways and county roads, including Outer Drive, Greenfield, Chandler Park Drive, W. McNichols and W. 7 Mile.
The Michigan Department of Transportation clears state trunklines, including Gratiot, Woodward, Grand River, Michigan, Fort and Eight Mile.
Detroit’s three-level system for snow removal
Here’s a look at Detroit’s three-level system for snow removal:
Level 1
- 3 inches or less of snow and/or freezing rain (an average of 80% of Detroit snow events fall into this category)
- 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 snow stopping; all bike lanes will be salted within 36 hours of 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, dependent upon 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 removed of snow; accumulated snow in bike lanes will be pushed to the closest intersection and hauled away.
- The following contractors will be deployed to plow residential streets (District 1 – Brilar Landscaping; District 2 – Jordan Landscaping; District 3 – Grace Management.; District 4 – Payne Landscaping; District 5 – Fontenot; District 6 – Pavex; District 7 – Jordan)
- 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 corridor
For more information about snow removal in Detroit and what to do if a snow emergency is declared, visit the city’s website.
