Snow Removal
The City of Detroit has a system to alert and prepare residents for disruptive winter weather. There are three levels of weather
conditions.
Level 1
3 inches or less of snow and/or freezing rain
Under Level 1, conditions significantly affect ability to travel, and the snow will/can remain and accumulate if freezing temperatures continue. Under Level 1, the Department of Public Works will salt only on major thoroughfares.
Level 2
3 to 6 inches of snow and/or freezing rain
Level 2 conditions include heavier snow fall that requires more extensive use of vehicles for salting and plowing. In this case, salting will take place only on major thoroughfares.
Level 3
6 inches or more of snow and/or freezing rain
Under Level 3
There are extreme winter conditions.
The Mayor may declare a snow emergency.
Below freezing temperatures can create health risks.
Trash collection may be affected.
Contractor may plow residential streets.
Snow & ice removal is accomplished through de-icing (applying road salt after snow has begun) and anti-icing (applying a liquid salt brine or calcium chloride solution before the snow or ice begins). In addition, plowing of roads may be utilized when snow accumulations exceed three inches.
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If snow has not been plowed on your street you are encouraged to contact your District 2 Councilperson
Street Sweeping
The city is divided into eastside and westside sweeping sections. The division sweeps local, major and state trunklines beginning in mid-April of each year. Sweeping crews post "No Parking" signs in areas to be swept 2 days before the scheduled sweeping. To ensure that parked vehicles do not hamper street cleaning efforts on the day of sweeping, the Municipal Parking Authority will ticket all parked vehicles.
The sweeping process starts with water vehicles flushing the areas to control airborne dust particles, and follows with sweeper vehicles collecting street dirt and debris as close to the curb as possible.
Every effort is made to sweep your street on days that do not conflict with your scheduled refuse or bulk collection days.
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Tip: The sweepers will not collect leaves intentionally raked to the curb/street.