Pittsburgh City Controller Defends O'Connor Administration Over Messy Roads

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Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler has defended Mayor Corey O'Connor's administration, saying they are not to blame for the city's messy, snow-covered streets. Heisler cited years of disinvestment in the city's aging fleet of plow trucks, with over a third of the vehicles breaking down during the recent heavy snowfall. She said the O'Connor administration has made staffing and operational changes, but the reality is the fleet is old and in need of replacement.

Why it matters

The snow removal issues in Pittsburgh have sparked public frustration, with residents complaining about impassable and untouched streets. This highlights the long-term challenges the city has faced in maintaining its infrastructure and equipment, which have been exacerbated by years of underinvestment.

The details

Of the 95 plow trucks that hit the streets during the recent snowstorm, 37 soon ended up in the repair garage, though 21 have since returned to operations. The Pittsburgh Department of Public Works is now playing catch-up to clear the roads. Heisler noted that 41% of the city's Department of Public Works vehicles have been in service for 10 years or more, and 33% have logged over 75,000 miles, leading to frequent breakdowns.

• The heavy snowfall occurred two days prior to the publication of this article.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Pittsburgh City Council recently passed a tax increase to add $30 million to city coffers, with $16 million of that going towards the purchase of new vehicles. Heisler says this dedicated revenue needs to be sustained every year to address the city's aging fleet.