Neighbors can follow along with city snow plows during winter weather with a new web service, called SnowPaths.
The website is available at battlecreekmi.gov/snow, where we share information about city snow operations. Click the SnowPaths link.
SnowPaths is a map system connected to GPS units on city plow trucks. Using color-coded lines, the map shows when city streets were last plowed, in four- to eight-hour increments. Neighbors can see streets plowed less than four hours ago, four to eight hours ago, eight to 16 hours ago, 16-24 hours ago, 24-30 hours ago, and more than 30 hours ago.
We hope the time ranges help neighbors understand our plowing progression during a snow storm. The map will not show the plows in real time.
Neighbors can zoom to street level by entering their street address – and must use “Battle Creek” or their zip code – or allow SnowPaths to use your device’s location.
The site also offers a Priority tab, with a map that will show snow plowing priorities for city streets. We are still working on this map, and hope to have information there soon. In the meantime, these are the city’s plowing priorities:
- State roads (like Columbia, Helmer, Bedford, Michigan) and major city roads (Hill Brady, Capital SW, Emmett). Even if plows have moved on from these during a snow, they might have to cycle back.
- Battle Creek Transit routes, and the streets directly around local schools. We can’t always get to the schools, but do our best. We do not prioritize school bus routes.
- Residential/local/neighborhood streets
- Alleys and cul-de-sacs, using smaller pickup trucks; boulevard cross areas
Reach our Field Services team at the Department of Public Works by calling 269-966-3507, or email PublicInput@battlecreekmi.gov.