Macomb County ready for winter

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. - The Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) is prepared for ice and snow in anticipation of winter weather and is asking motorists to do the same.

“Michigan’s unpredictable weather impacts our roads, residents and community. Road safety and winter readiness are top priorities for the department,” said MCDR Director Bryan Santo. “Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking all necessary precautions to keep the public and our staff safe while ensuring our snow and ice removal operations maintain a drivable road system for all Macomb County motorists and visitors.”

With the support of the motoring public, MCDR’s goal is to keep the roads as safe as possible. The Department of Roads cautions drivers to remain alert during and immediately following winter weather and reminds motorists to drive for the conditions and to give snowplows plenty of room to safely clear the roads.

MCDR also urges drivers to follow these safety tips on the roadways:

• Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle, including the hood, roof, truck, headlights, taillights, windows, and mirrors.
• Buckle up.
• Start your drive early allowing extra time for slow driving conditions.
• Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Drive defensively and brake early. Stopping on icy roads requires three to nine times the distance to come to a complete stop.

To meet the demand for the upcoming winter season, MCDR purchased several tandem axle, single axle, and semi-trucks that will be delivered to Macomb County’s service centers in Washington Township, New Haven, Clinton Township, and Shelby Township. MCDR has a winter maintenance fleet of more than 100 snowplows, salt trucks and graders. The department has an annual average budget of $4 million to keep the fleet on the road and up to date with technology and equipment.

Fast Facts

• Of the more than 4,045 miles of roadway in Macomb County, MCDR is responsible for the maintenance of 1,773 miles of county roads and more than 1,100 miles of subdivision roads
• MCDR has 101 snowplows, salt trucks and graders in its fleet
• MCDR has 129 maintenance employees dedicated to keeping the roads clear
• On average, MCDR uses more than 49,500 tons of salt each winter
• In 2019, MCDR spent $8,624,909.93 on winter maintenance for primary, local and state roads

MCDR is dedicated to providing the public with a quality county road system, with a focus on safety and convenience for motorists and the community, environmental responsibility, and financial accountability. For the latest news from the Department of Roads, follow MCDR on Facebook and sign up to receive email and text alerts for construction and traffic updates at roads.macombgov.org.

Photos of an MCDR front end loader and salt truck can be found here. Photo credit: Anne Nicolazzo.