Winter Operations Guidelines: Snow / Ice Plan

PDF Version of the Winter Operations Guidelines

Buckle up every time you get in the vehicle.
Drive safe and sober.
Stay awake and alert.
Don’t crowd the plow! Snowplows need lots of room to groom.
Deer don’t know better, so watch for them, especially between 6:00 PM and midnight.
Prepare for and respond to the road conditions – driving the speed for conditions and visibility.
If you need to change lanes on icy roads, proceed with caution. Sudden merging may cause vehicles to skid.

Priority 1 – State Trunklines M-46 (5 Lane), US-31, and I-96: Pavement bare from ice and snow.
Priority 2 – State Trunklines M-46 (2 Lane), M-37, M-120, BU-31: Pavement bare from ice and snow wide enough for one wheel track in each direction only; plow as Priority 1 if drifting.
Priority 3 – Primary System:
1. Scrape then apply sand/salt material on hills, curves, intersections, and lights.
2. Solid application as directed by supervision only.
3. Overtime (OT) after 4 inches and/or continuous storm.
Priority 4 – Local Paved System:
1. Scrape then apply sand/salt material on hills, curves, and intersections.
2. No solid application unless directed by supervision only.
3. OT after 4 inches and/or continuous storm.
Priority 5 – Local Gravel:
1. Scrape then apply sand/salt material on hills, curves, and intersections.
2. OT after 4 inches and/or continuous storm.
Priority 6 – Subdivisions:
1. Scrape then apply sand/salt material at intersections and/or as directed by supervision.
2. OT after 4 inches and/or continuous storm.

350–400 pounds per lane mile (salt)
10 gallons per ton (brine)
25–30 MPH speed
Flap adjustments for material centralization
Solid sanding only as supervisor directs
White Shoulder Policy: Leave 2 inches of snow unless a drift area.
Intersections (changes as directed by supervisor only):
1. Primary Roads: 500 feet
2. Local Roads: 100 feet (unless higher speed)
3. Subdivisions: 25 feet
Pre-wet: Pre-wet material before application.
No salt when:
1. Below 20 degrees
2. Continuous snow
3. Constant wind
Anti-icing (using Boost):
1. Watch weather.
2. State roads, particularly bridge decks, prior to a storm.

If a winter storm is not continuous:

We ask for patience while we clear roads, especially during continuous winter storms.
If you live within the City limits, you will need to contact your City directly for snow removal concerns (for example, Cities of Montague, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, and Whitehall).
Call 9-1-1 for emergency situations including downed trees and / or accidents due to snowy or icy conditions.
Submit a service request on our website.