Why isn't my street plowed yet?

The Public Works Department is responsible for keeping city streets free of snow and ice and open to traffic. When intersections become slippery Public Safety notifies the Department and specialized trucks are dispatched to begin salting or sanding the roadways when this is appropriate. During major snow events, the entire Department of Public Works & Service crew is called into action.

Snow removal is a priority-based system that addresses major streets first and then progresses to the local streets. Streets which are dead-end or cul-de-sacs, as well as alleys, are typically completed last. The priority system is based upon the amount of traffic serviced by the street and the need to keep vital facilities such as hospitals and schools open to the public. With the current crew and equipment, it typically takes up to 12 hours to have all of the City streets, alleys and parking lots plowed and treated after a significant snow event.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is responsible for snow removal on state highways.  In the City, those roads include state highway M-63 and Business Loop - 94.  This includes all of Niles Avenue, all of Lakeshore Drive, all of Main Street (extending north across the bridge to the Harry Gast Parkway to Klock Road), portions of Port and Ship streets east of Main Street, and Wayne Street from Ship Street east to the city limits of Benton Harbor.  The Berrien County Road Department is responsible for snow removal on county roads, including portions of Hilltop Road and Cleveland Avenue along the city boundary.