Here’s Which Grand Rapids Roads Get Plowed and Salted First

Snowy season is officially upon us here in West Michigan. Here in Grand Rapids, we've received nearly two feet of snow over the past few weeks, while our neighbors along the lakeshore have seen a lot more.

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Those who live in the City of Grand Rapids (myself included) have often wondered how the city prioritizes where to plow first. And now we know the answer!

Grand Rapids, Michigan Priority Streets For Snowplowing and Salt

The City of Grand Rapids released an infographic recently, letting all of us know which streets will be tackled first when we see significant snowfall.

READ MORE: Do You Have To Remove Snow From Fire Hydrants In Grand Rapids?

The first streets that the city handles first are what they call "first-attention streets". Those streets include, but are not limited to:

• Burton Street
• Fulton Street
• Leonard Street
• Monroe Avenue
• and Division Avenue

Why these specific streets? It's largely about the safety of the little scholars in our community. The city says these streets are,

Strategically chosen due to school locations and public gathering places.

According to the City of Grand Rapids, they have crews working in three shifts to maintain these roads and high-traffic streets 24/7 during major snow events.

When Does the City of Grand Rapids Plow Secondary Streets?

Secondary streets, such as side streets, alleys, and cul-de-sacs, are treated as soon as the city is able to get to them. However, it's important to remember that the plows may have to change course to go back to treating first-attention streets. (And the city only has so many plow trucks and plow operators.)

Which Streets Does the City of Grand Rapids Treat With Salt in the Winter?

While many assume that salt is applied to all city streets, that's not necessarily the case. The aforementioned "first-attention streets" are automatically salted. Other streets around the city are,

Salted based on slickness and safety of the roads.

How to Report Dangerous Street Conditions in Grand Rapids

If this Reddit thread is to be believed, if you happen to come across a particularly slippery/dangerous intersection in the city, you can call 311 to let the city know.

In the end, the city is doing everything that it can to keep everyone safe, prevent accidents and slide-offs, and get to everyone's neighborhood as soon as they can. Just know that sometimes that means that you might have to wait a little bit for your street to be cleared.