City Of Detroit Reminds Residents About Snow Removal Policy
DETROIT (WWJ) - As the first snow flakes fall across southeast Michigan, the City of Detroit is reminding residents about its snow removal policy.
When it comes to snow, the city has a tiered system. If there is three inches of snow or less, the city will salt major roads (level one); three to six inches of snow and the city will plow and salt only major thoroughfares (level two); six inches or more and the city will plow and salt all roads (level three).
Detroit has 50-plus trucks to cover 684 miles of major streets and 1884 miles of residential streets. For a level three storm, the city may utilize contractors to plow residential streets depending on the characteristics of the snow accumulation, prevailing temperatures and forecasts. Residential snowplow contractors will plow a 10-foot pass down the center of the street and will not clear driveways.
In extreme weather, the city may declare a snow emergency, which allows police to ticket and tow illegally parked vehicles on snow emergency routes, and provide access for the streets to be plowed from curb to curb. Snow emergency routes, which are marked by red and white signs, are the first priority for snow removal.
On streets that are identified through signage as snow emergency routes, the city may restrict or prohibit parking for the purpose of plowing. Residents will be notified via the media, as well as the city of Detroit website and cable channel.
Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for maintaining their sidewalks in a manner that makes its safe for pedestrians. Snow removal services and property owners are prohibited from putting snow from their property onto public roadways, as it represents a hazard to vehicle traffic.
Vehicles used by the city's private contractors now are equipped with GPS technology, so officials can track their progress and verify whether a side street has been cleared.
