If you live in a Chicago two-flat, three-flat, or city home, you have a gangway: the narrow passage between your building and the next, leading from the front sidewalk to the rear yard or alley. Most snow plows can't fit. Most homeowners can't shovel them quickly. That's exactly the kind of problem Snow Pushers was built to solve.
What Is a Gangway?
Gangways are a uniquely Chicago architectural feature — narrow corridors between adjacent buildings, usually 3 to 6 feet wide, running from the front of the lot to the back. They give access to backyards, rear stairs, and garages. They're essential utility space — and a real headache when snow falls.
Because gangways are tight, traditional plows can't fit. Snowblowers help, but they often spray snow against the neighboring building. Hand-shoveling a long gangway after a major storm can take an hour or more — and often needs to be done multiple times per storm.
Why Gangway Snow Removal Matters
Access to Back Stairs and Rear Yard
Most Chicago two-flats and three-flats have rear stairs reached only through the gangway. If your tenants or your own back exit are inaccessible due to snow, you have a safety issue — and an egress problem in case of fire.
Garage and Alley Access
Many Chicago properties have detached garages reached via the alley. The gangway is often the pedestrian route from house to garage. A blocked gangway means you can't get to your car, your trash bins, or your garbage pickup.
Tenant Expectations
If you're a landlord, your tenants expect — reasonably — that access to their unit be maintained. A snow-blocked gangway is a habitability complaint waiting to happen.
Liability Considerations
Even though gangways are on private property, they're frequently used by service workers, delivery personnel, meter readers, and visitors. Slip-and-fall claims on private property are a real risk if hazardous ice is allowed to form.
How We Handle Gangways
Our crews come equipped with the right tools — narrow-deck snowblowers and shovels — to clear gangways efficiently without damaging your siding or your neighbor's building. We salt the gangway floor on every visit to prevent ice buildup, especially important since gangways often see little direct sunlight and stay icy longer than other surfaces.
Combined with your sidewalk, walkway, and rear-stairs service, our gangway clearing means you have continuous safe pedestrian access from the public sidewalk all the way to your back door — exactly the way your property was designed to function.
Service Across Chicago's Gangway-Heavy Neighborhoods
Gangway clearing matters most in Chicago's historic residential neighborhoods — Logan Square, Avondale, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Bridgeport, Pilsen, and the South Side bungalow belt. Wherever Chicago two-flats stand, we serve.
Stop fighting the gangway alone. Get a free quote or call (773) 299-9203 today.