Snow Removal Policy in Detroit, Michigan

DPW maintains 673 miles of major roads and 1884 miles of residential streets in the city. Freeways are maintained by the Wayne County Road Commission. State trunklines such as Michigan, Woodward, and Gratiot are maintained by the State, while 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.

DPW (Department of public works) has 70 trucks in inventory; 50+ will be on the streets for each snow event. The City utilizes a three-level system for snow removal during the winter weather.

Level 1

• 3 inches or less of snow and/or freezing rain (average of 80% of Detroit snow events fall into this category)
• DPW crews remove snow only from major thoroughfare 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

Also read: Detroit Snow Removal FAQ's

 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 all snow events, business owners and residents are required to clear snow from their sidewalks.

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