DETROIT (WXYZ) — The deadline was 6 a.m. for four contractors plowing Detroit residential streets to be done or face penalties. At an afternoon news conference Mayor Mike Duggan said the job was 85% complete.
“We are utilizing crews from public services and general services to supplement the work the contractors were doing,” said Detroit Public Works Director Ron Brundridge.
And Mayor Duggan says there will be financial penalties adding, “A couple of them did not get through the streets as fast as they should have. We’re going to evaluate for the next snow. Are these the right mix of contractors?”
They are set to be paid $550,000 and are activated with a snowfall of 6 inches or more is in the forecast.
The Mayor is asking residents to be the eyes and ears and report streets not plowed by using the Improve Detroit smartphone app or by calling 313- 224-0033 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
McDougall street on the east side was not done by the deadline and Toi Johnson contacted Channel 7. We put it on the news and minutes later the city sent over plow and salt trucks.
Johnson says she’s lived there since 2004 and says, “Yeah! Unbelievable! Yea! I’m excited This has never happened! Thank you Channel 7.”
Two of the 4 contractors did not call us back. Gibraltar Construction has the contact for Districts 5 and 6 and McDougall Street. They say this is their first year, they’ve been working all day to get caught up, and this is a big job.
Stanley Smith lives on Terry Street on the west side and at mid-afternoon, he was still waiting for a plow.
“It’s ridiculous because every street around here is the same,” he said.
Mayor Duggan says he will give us a full report on the contractors and penalties within a week.
