Detroit Still Plows Neighborhoods Despite the 6” Snow Threshold

Detroit is clearing snow from neighborhood streets after a snowfall of about five inches, even though this amount usually doesn't hit the six-inch threshold for plowing.

Recent snow totals and a cold forecast led to this decision. Residents will benefit from the extra precaution. Sam Krassenstein, Deputy Director of Detroit Public Works, explained the reasoning. "It's a little bit loose. Part of what we look at is what snow have we had before today. So last night we measured pretty close to 5 inches in Detroit, and because we've had snow over the last couple of weeks and the forecast over the next two weeks is supposed to continue to be cold, we thought this would be a nice service to provide the residents," said Krassenstein to WXYZ.

This effort covers 1,800 miles of streets. Private crews began early on Monday. The city has completed 75 to 80 percent of the necessary plowing. Residents like Tradina Waller notice improvements, saying, "It's getting better," while others like Dennis Phelps, a cab driver, wish for earlier action. Phelps shared, "My first time stuck down here on a residential street. I believe they should come out much, much sooner."

Delano Benson, another resident, requested more salt trucks and workers, noting, "We need the salt trucks to do the side streets, too. They need more trucks out here." Krassenstein suggests residents report uncleared streets via the Improve Detroit platform or by phone. Issues will be checked and addressed.

Detroit's system doesn't plow side streets unless snowfall reaches Level 3, which means six inches or more. For smaller snowfalls, main roads come first. The three-level system usually involves 70 trucks, with 50 or more in use as needed, focusing first on major streets covering 673 miles before moving to smaller streets.

Contractors in certain areas handle plowing for smaller streets. Companies involved include Brilar Landscaping for District 1 and Jordan Landscaping for Districts 2 and 7, among others. They clear paths at least 16 feet wide to within half an inch of the surface.

Homeowners are responsible for sidewalks on their properties. Snow or ice must be cleared, or salt or sand applied within 24 hours. It’s illegal to dump snow onto public roads, too.

Detroit's snow clearing method changed after a major snowstorm in 1999 that left streets clogged and life disrupted. They had to call for private assistance to manage it then—a step now routine. Lessons from past weather guide Detroit’s approach today.