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1. How does GTCRC prioritize snow and ice removal?

Safety is the GTCRC’s top priority and when a storm hits and crews are tasked each day to keep roads as clear as possible. GTCRC performs winter maintenance activities in accordance with the following hierarchy:

• First Priority
  • State Trunklines and Emergency Routes
  • Primary Local Roads
• Second Priority
  • Other (Non-Primary) Local Paved Roads
• Third Priority
  • Subdivisions 
  • Gravel roads
     

Crews will begin on the First Priority and will advance to the Second Priority once clear.   Similarly, crews will not advance to Third Priority until First and Second are clear.   If it starts to snow again, GTCRC crews may leave lower priority roads to service the higher priority.
 

2. When will GTCRC plow my subdivision or gravel road?

After a major storm or back-to-back storms, subdivision and gravel roads may not be cleared for several days due to the timing and the severity of the storm(s).

Please note that. with few exceptions, GTCRC conducts winter maintenance on public roads located outside of cities and village limits. Cities and villages provide winter maintenance with their own workforces.

3. A GTCRC truck knocked down my mailbox, will you fix it?

If a GTCRC vehicle / equipment strikes a mailbox, GTCRC will offer a gift card to the property owner in an amount GTCRC deems appropriate to cover the materials required to restore mail service.   GTCRC is not responsible for mailbox damage caused by impact of snow / ice / etc. thrown when plowing. 
 
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 Residents should prepare mailboxes for winter by tightening screws and ensuring the post and receptacle are secure enough to endure large amounts of thrown snow. If the mailbox moves when shaken, it may not withstand standard snow removal operations and should be repaired or replaced before winter.

4. Why do snowplows block my driveway with snow?

As snow and ice is moved away from the road, it is inevitable that some will be deposited at the ends of driveways.   Due to the geometry, driveways along curves and cul-de-sacs are likely to experience more snow in driveways than those driveways along straight segments of road.    Cul-de-sacs without islands contain even more area which needs to be plowed and, as a result, even more snow in driveways should be expected.

 We understand that this can be frustrating, however it can be alleviated to a certain extent.    To minimize extra work, GTCRC recommends that you shovel to the right side of your driveway (see graphic below). Shoveling an area large enough to hold the snow coming off a plow blade may help reduce the need for a “second shovel.”

5. I pay property taxes, why don’t I get snow removal service?

In accordance with state laws - GTCRC is limited to conducting winter maintenance activity on all season public roads.    Private roads and Seasonal Roads will not receive winter maintenance. 
 
 GTCRC’s winter maintenance budget is funded solely by fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees collected by the State of Michigan.  This income funds all day-to-day maintenance activities including snow plowing and salting.   

The property tax you pay funds local and county government agencies (not day-to-day road maintenance). The local road millage tax that homeowners pay may only be used for certain road construction projects, not for winter maintenance. 

6. Is it legal to pass a snowplow?

Michigan’s new “Move Over” law requires motorists to slow down at least 10 mph below the posted limit and move over to an open lane.  This applies to snowplows and other road maintenance vehicles as well as emergency responders.

While, there are no state laws that specifically prohibit passing a snowplow, it’s not recommended. Motorists should never pass a snowplow on the right.  Our trucks are equipped a wing plow that can extend anywhere between 2-10 feet beyond the width of the truck. 

7. Why is that plow truck going so fast?

GTCRC plow trucks are often operating in a low gear with high engine RPM to maintain the power and momentum needed to push the snow.   The engine noise, swirling snow and ice flying away from the plow, and the large size of the equipment can make it appear that a plow truck is moving much faster than it actually is.   GTCRC equipment is equipped with technology that is capable of tracking vehicle speed and these systems are regularly monitored.   
 
With this in mind, if you feel that a GTCRC employee is driving irresponsibly, please contact gtcrc@gtcrc.org with the time, location, and vehicle number so that the matter can be investigated.  

8. Why would salt be spread on a road after the winter storm is over?

The projected temperature of the road surface will impact the final treatment of a road.  If plowing operations have finished and a road is still in “black and wet” condition there may a danger of the water on the road re-freezing.  There are times, especially at night, when this post-storm salt application may be necessary.