Snow Removal Procedures
City of Troy
Never underestimate Michigan winters. They bring everything from heavy snowstorms to frigid wind chills to warm rainy weather - often within days of one another. When the snow does hit - our plows have hundreds of miles of roadway to clear.
We offer these tips to help the City of Troy crews make your travels faster and safer:
- Don't Park on the Street! Move your cars out of the street and especially cul-de-sacs into the driveways when an accumulating snow is predicted. It is difficult to maneuver trucks around on dry pavement let alone in icy conditions.
- Give plows & salt trucks room to maneuver. When applying salt and plowing snow they have to change lanes, back up and make more frequent stops.
- Don't pass trucks when salt is being applied or snow is being plowed. Keeping control of your vehicle can be extremely difficult.
- Don't pull out into the intersection when snowplow trucks are approaching. Drivers cannot control the snow coming off the plow blade. The snow often contains rocks and other debris from the roadway.
- Don't shovel snow into the street when clearing sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. This makes clearing the roadway more difficult and creates more hazardous ice patches.
- Dig out Fire Hydrants - if there is a fire hydrant at your curb - please try to uncover. In the event of a fire emergency - this could help save a life by helping the fire department locate the hydrant more quickly.
What roads get plowed first?
The City of Troy prioritizes snow and ice control operation to make the roads safe and accessible during the winter season:
First Priority - Major City and County Roads
Second Priority - City Industrial Roads
Third Priority - School Entry Roads
Fourth Priority- City Local Roads
Why don't subdivisions always get plowed?
Plowing operations on local roads (subdivisions) will be initiated when snow accumulates more than 4 inches. These 250 miles of local roads take 72 hours to clear after a snowstorm passes. When snow accumulates 8+ inches or we have complications like freezing rain, clearing will take longer than the standard 72 hours. For snowfalls less then 4 inches, we salt and treat the hills, intersections and curves as needed.
What about the lump of snow in my driveway
Snow plows typically leave a lump of snow at the ends of driveways as they clear the roadways. If the City had the means to clear that lump, we would. Why can't we? It would take weeks instead of 72 hours to completely plow the City. There just aren't enough hours, staff, money and equipment to do it. We need residents to take responsibility to clear the lump of snow at the end of their driveway. If you have a neighbor that needs help, please give them a hand.
Please do not shovel the snow back into the street. It can create dangerous ice patches for all drivers.
For information about snowstorm activities or reporting a dangerous condition, contact the Public Works Department at 524-3392. Make this a safe winter season and drive carefully.
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Last modified: 2/3/2011
