Providence Mayor Asks for Patience as City Works to Remove Snow

Smiley says DPW crews have been working around the clock since the weekend storm.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the frustrations of residents and business owners over the slow snow removal process, but said the city has been working tirelessly with all available resources to clear the streets. Smiley said the frigid temperatures have made the snow extremely dense and difficult to remove, and that the city has already hauled away 300 truckloads of snow.

Why it matters

The massive snowstorm has left Providence's streets difficult to navigate, impacting both residents and businesses. Smiley's comments highlight the challenges the city has faced in balancing snow removal efforts with other priorities like keeping schools open and avoiding further disruptions to the community.

The details

Smiley said Department of Public Works crews have worked approximately 2,300 hours since the storm began, using the city's entire fleet of 60 plows plus around 30 vendors. He noted that the city simply doesn't have enough manpower to work faster, and that they've used every resource available to them. Smiley also addressed concerns over property owners not shoveling sidewalks, saying it's not practical to ticket every homeowner and that ticket writers are needed to drive plows.

  • The massive winter storm hit Providence on Sunday.
  • Crews have been working around the clock since early Sunday morning.
  • Smiley said the frigid temperatures throughout the week have made snow removal extremely difficult.

The players

Brett Smiley

The mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, who is overseeing the city's snow removal efforts.

Providence Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for snow removal and other public works operations in Providence.

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What they’re saying

“We've had a week full of 10-degree temperatures. Nothing has melted throughout the week.”

— Brett Smiley, Mayor of Providence

“I have heard loud and clear the frustrations of our residents, of our business owners and everyone trying to get in and around the city. I want everyone to know that I take those concerns and criticisms seriously.”

— Brett Smiley, Mayor of Providence

What’s next

Smiley encouraged residents to continue reaching out to the city via PVD311 to bring problem spots to their attention, as the city works to clear the remaining snow.

The takeaway

The massive snowstorm has presented significant challenges for Providence's snow removal efforts, highlighting the need for continued coordination and communication between the city government and its residents as they work to restore normal operations.