The City of East Grand Rapids Public Works crews will be working hard to keep streets and sidewalks cleared this winter.
Snow and ice removal guidelines prioritize how City plow crews handle snow and ice events. The City clears snow on City streets based on priority and local road routes. Priority routes are considered our major streets, which are plowed and salted as necessary to minimize slippery road surface conditions. Local road routes include all remaining residential streets, which will be plowed after all priority routes have been cleared. Local road routes are lightly salted, as needed, to control slippery conditions. Please click to view the priority streets route map.
In the event of significant snow accumulation on one-way and other narrow streets, the City posts temporary ‘no parking’ signs in advance of efforts to remove excess snow. Residents are asked to make every effort to remove vehicles from streets where these signs appear so crews can plow and haul snow out to keep the streets passable and accessible.
City sidewalks are plowed after the accumulation of approximately two inches of snow and on weekends when snow events have concluded. Plow crews clear sidewalk safety routes to schools first and then remaining sidewalks in the City. The City does not provide ice control to sidewalks. Please click to see the priority sidewalk map.
As a result of plowing streets and sidewalks snow may be deposited into driveways. Plow crews are sensitive to this issue, however, there is no practical way to plow snow without depositing snow into driveways. Residents are responsible for the removal of this snow. Driveways/sidewalks can be cleared to accept this snow by clearing “pockets” to accept snow from plows as noted in this graphic to “avoid the second shovel.”
On occasion mailboxes can be damaged during snow removal. Please click here to see the City mailbox replacement policy.
This winter, you'll notice that our snowplow trucks will have green strobe lights along with the traditional amber lights. The State Legislature recently amended the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow public works agencies to use the green lights. The green lights have proven to be more visible during low visibility storm events which will enhance safety for the public and plow crews and also help differentiate the difference between a municipal/county/state plow trucks and equipment versus other private service vehicles out on roads.
The City of East Grand Rapids is joining with many municipal transportation agencies throughout the State in installing these new lights. When you see the green lights this winter, please slow down and stay back at least 100 feet to give crews “room to groom.”
Public works asks that residents be as patient as possible, especially during heavy snowfall, as they work to clear the streets and sidewalks as quickly and safely as possible.
“We have a great crew that works hard to make winter commuting as painless as possible in East Grand Rapids,” said Doug La Fave, assistant city manager. “Our team has been working hard to prepare and will be ready to go once the snow flies.”
For more information on street and sidewalk plowing in EGR, click here.