Baltimore Crews Work Overtime to Clear Snow and Ice Clogging City Streets

Lingering winter storm aftermath leaves roads, sidewalks impassable for many residents

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Nine days after a major winter storm hit Maryland, road crews in Baltimore are still working around the clock to clear mounds of snow and ice that have constricted many city streets, turn lanes, shoulders, and sidewalks. The extensive cleanup effort has been complicated by a lack of space to dump the plowed snow, forcing crews to haul it away to disposal sites.

Why it matters

The prolonged snow and ice accumulation has made driving and walking hazardous across Baltimore, with many roads reduced to single lanes and visibility severely limited. The cleanup is a regional challenge, requiring coordination between state and city crews to restore safe passage for residents and emergency vehicles.

The details

Road crews are using heavy machinery like plows and snow-melters to chip away at the thick ice and snow, which in some areas has built up 5-6 feet high. The snow is being collected and transported to disposal sites, but the sheer volume has overwhelmed normal operations. Some drivers report their commute times have doubled or tripled due to the reduced road capacity.

  • The winter storm hit Maryland 9 days ago on January 26, 2026.
  • Crews have been working daily from early morning to 7pm to clear the roads.

The players

Joel Conde

A resident of the Pigtown neighborhood in Baltimore.

Ronnie Wright

A road crew worker with the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Jay Riley

An SHA road crew worker.

Jenson English

A private contractor working on hauling snow in Baltimore City.

Baltimore City

The local government providing snow removal services and equipment to clear city streets.

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What they’re saying

“There's just snow everywhere. Three-lane roads are now two-lane roads. Sometimes, lanes will disappear as you're driving in it, and then, you have to figure out, 'How do I get over?' So, it just makes driving more hazardous.”

— Joel Conde, Pigtown resident

“We have to use heavy machinery. It's not easy doing it with the shovels and all. So, we had to bring out the heavy machinery, which takes up room on the road.”

— Ronnie Wright, Road crew worker, Maryland State Highway Administration

“The problem is having a place to put it. We're having to put it on trucks and take it back to the shop and dump it. But we're getting it done.”

— Jay Riley, SHA road crew worker

What’s next

Baltimore City has brought in a snow-melter on loan from Washington, D.C. to help accelerate the snow removal process. Residents can call 311 to request snow removal assistance in their neighborhoods.

The takeaway

The lingering effects of the winter storm have created a major regional challenge for Baltimore, requiring coordinated efforts between state and city crews to clear the extensive snow and ice buildup on roads and sidewalks. The cleanup effort highlights the need for improved infrastructure and emergency planning to handle severe winter weather in the future.