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Pittsburgh Brings in Contractors as Some Side Street Residents Struggle
Cleanup efforts continue after weekend snowstorm leaves many side streets impassable.
Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:47pm
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Pittsburgh officials brought in contractors to help with snow removal efforts after dozens of city trucks went down, leaving some side streets and alleys in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville, Morningside, and the Hill District still covered in snow days after a major winter storm. While main roads were cleared, many residents on side streets were stuck at home or had difficulty getting their vehicles out.
Why it matters
The snow removal challenges highlight the difficulties cities face in keeping all streets clear, especially smaller side streets and alleys, during major winter storms. This raises questions about infrastructure, equipment maintenance, and prioritization of snow removal efforts in urban areas.
The details
Contractors were brought in to supplement the city's snow removal efforts after over 100 tons of snow had to be removed from the Garfield neighborhood alone. Skid loaders and front loaders were used to fill dump trucks that carried away around 9-10 tons of snow per trip, with contractors making over 100 trips. Some residents were understanding of the challenges the city faced, while others felt the response was slow, especially on side streets and alleys that were lower priorities for plowing.
- The weekend snowstorm hit Pittsburgh on Sunday, January 26, 2026.
- Cleanup efforts continued on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
The players
Corey O'Connor
The mayor of Pittsburgh who oversaw the snow removal efforts.
Trebor Evans
A Lawrenceville resident who said his road wasn't plowed until Tuesday.
Connor Ellis
A resident on McCandless Avenue in Lawrenceville who had a car stuck under snow in an alley.
Michael Franklin
A Lawrenceville resident who understood the challenges the city faced with its plowing equipment.
Jordan Ricketts
A Brighton Heights resident who had to dig out his SUV that got stuck on the snow-covered streets.
What they’re saying
“They didn't plow my road, Keystone, until today, so I've had to stay home.”
— Trebor Evans (cbsnews.com)
“I'm not expecting them to move anytime soon. Luckily, I put a car on the main street that I was able to get out.”
— Connor Ellis (cbsnews.com)
“All things considered, with the plows breaking down, and the cold, he's fighting a three-pronged battle.”
— Michael Franklin (cbsnews.com)
“We're really being patient, we're trying to be as patient as we can.”
— Father Paul Abernathy, CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project (cbsnews.com)
“I don't see how things weren't maintained and checked.”
— Shawn Boylan, Brighton Heights resident (cbsnews.com)
What’s next
Mayor O'Connor said 50 city vehicles will be plowing and salting on Tuesday night, and more than 25 contractors will also be working to continue the cleanup efforts.
The takeaway
This snow event highlights the challenges cities face in keeping all streets clear during major winter storms, especially smaller side streets and alleys that are lower priorities for plowing. It raises questions about infrastructure, equipment maintenance, and resource allocation that cities must address to improve their snow removal capabilities.
