KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Hours ahead of West Michigan’s snowstorm, the city of Kalamazoo made sure its snowplows were out on the road early. They were preparing for the incoming four to six inches of snow.
“We’ve also had crews doing what’s called pre-treatment. So, we’ve got trucks that have the ability to put down a solution on the roadway that’s an agricultural bi-product solution that helps prevent snow went it first comes down from sticking to the roadways and gives us the ability to plow that first pass a bit easier,” James Baker, the City of Kalamazoo’s Public Services Director and City Engineer said.
Baker said their goal is to have all major streets cleared with the first 24 hours and local streets in 48 hours.
They’ll also be prioritizing hospital routes, majors hills, local streets and then neighborhood streets.
That’s followed by 23 miles worth of sidewalks and a contractor who has pitched in to shovel an additional 14 miles of sidewalks.
The city is asking residents to be cautious of the snowplows as their driving methods will not look traditional –so keep an eye out. For example, the snowplows will be in turning lanes just to clear that portion of the road, not to turn.
“We do have signage that says stay 200 feet back. The reason for that is those plows maybe backing up, a lot of times when they clear intersections they drive through the intersection first and then they’ll back up and then turn,” Baker said.
Currently, there are 12 snowplows out cruising through all of Kalamazoo’s city limits which is anywhere with a blue street sign, according to Baker.
Those crews will work 12-hour shifts and then switch out with another driver who will also work a 12 hour shift. That rotation will only stop when it is time to get gas, when the snowplows need maintenance, or when the snow has stopped falling and the roads are clear.
