The White Stuff: City Plows Prepare for Wintry Weather

Dearborn has yet to see any significant snowfall this winter–but that doesn't mean the city has forgotten that the flakes can cause a lot of problems.

Last winter, three major blizzards nearly immobilized southeast Michigan, making it difficult for residents to leave their homes for work, errands or other business. Meanwhile, city crews worked overtime to clear streets–just in time for more snow to fall.

Many residents, at public meetings and online, called Dearborn's plowing efforts inadequate.

"Having lived in Dearborn a good part of my life, I have seen a lot of city services decline over the years, snow removal no exception," resident Diane Lewis last February. "I understand budget constraints play a role in all of this, but for the city to call 'snow emergencies' and say they will ticket or tow vehicles that are not removed from the street is an exception in my neighborhood and not the rule."

But Larry Szczygiel, the deputy director of the Dearborn Department of Public Works, said all resources will be brought to bear to make streets and roadways passable this winter when the snow finally does begin to fall.

“Most of the complaints we received (last year) were regarding county and state roads,” he said in December. “We have all of the resources available to us that we had last year."

In fact, Dearborn's DPW midnight shift has already begun in case of snow emergencies that may arise.

The city is responsible for plowing about 278 miles of local roadways–and unlike staffing levels, those numbers don't fall when economic times get tough.

Public works has taken several cuts over the last few years. The department used to employ 40 or 50 people in its highway division, yet that number now comprises all public works staff.

The department has also transferred 10 drivers to other positions, but the good news is that if there is a snow emergency, those employees will be deployed in the community as drivers, Szczygiel said.

The number of vehicles used for snow removal have been maintained: 26 large trucks for main arteries and side streets and 10 heavy-duty pick-up trucks will plow snow within 13 sections of the city.

Public Works’ plan for snow removal includes having trucks on the streets overnight, but the bulk of the snow removal would take place at 7 a.m., when fill-in crews will go into neighborhoods, Szczygiel said.

“Normally we would have had trucks in neighborhoods at about 4 a.m.," he explained, "but this cut down on overtime ... so we’ll be out in front of the house later in the morning."

But residents have to do their part, he added, to ensure that snow plowing goes smoothly.

Last year, the department noted that several people left their vehicles in front of their homes after a snow emergency had been declared, which was a major problem in terms of navigating plows and trucks down the street and being able to remove snow close to curb lines.

“That was definitely a problem,” Szczygiel said. “It makes it harder for us to do our job.”

Another issue is residents pushing snow from their driveways into the road.

“When that happens, sometimes we hear we haven’t plowed it,” said Szczygiel. “I tell people to make sure they throw it on their lawn.”

Parking could be an even bigger issue this winter, as Dearborn's snow emergency ordinance will likely be updated to require that cars not park over the sidewalk during periods of snow removal.

The change reflects adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that sidewalks stay clear to allow a person with a disability to travel safely. It is expected to be approved by Dearborn City Council in January.

As for county roads, a specific plan that includes Dearborn is in place, authorities say.

“We still have the same number of staff and we have acquired new plan for the coming season,” said Hass Saab, the interim director for Wayne County Public Works.

Saab said the priority for Dearborn’s roads is as follows: Plows will be dispatched to Ford Road and Michigan Avenue, followed by Warren Road and Miller Road.

Additionally, Saab said the county has purchased a new winter maintenance system it hopes will allow it to better track progress on roads. The system includes a Global Positioning System that tracks maintenance activities in real time and generates customized and detailed reports regarding roads.