Montgomery County officials report that, as of Wednesday afternoon, more than 90% of county roads have been plowed following last week’s winter storm, though snow and ice cleanup is expected to continue as prolonged freezing temperatures hinder progress.
Transportation Director Chris Conklin said crews have made at least one pass on nearly all residential streets, but some roads remain untreated or only partially cleared due to equipment failures, blocked access from parked or stranded vehicles, and severe ice buildup.
Hundreds of Miles of Roadway
Conklin noted that, although there is 90% completion, the remaining small percentage represents hundreds of miles of roadway. The county maintains about 5,400 miles of road.
Officials cautioned residents not to expect clear pavement, as temperatures below freezing are preventing melting and keeping snow and ice visible, even after plowing.
Unplowed street in South Four Corners, Silver Spring.
County officials acknowledge inaccuracies in the county’s online snow clearance tracker, which previously showed some streets as fully plowed despite resident reports that have pointed out the contrary. Conklin said the tracker has been reset and will remain unchanged until residential snow operations are complete.
Communication Issue Sighted at MC311
Officials also identified a communication issue in the county’s 311 system, where snow removal requests were marked “closed” once routed to transportation crews, not when work was completed. MC311 Director Victoria Lewis said the issue is under review.
Residents are still encouraged to submit snow-related service requests online through 311, which officials said are prioritized the same as phone calls. Streets that have not been plowed at all will receive priority.
Equipment Failures Prolong Cleanup
Conklin said prolonged operations have led to mechanical failures, including transmission, hydraulic, and rear differential issues on snowplows, as equipment has struggled to move hardened ice.
Clearing the Public Pathways
Sidewalks, bus stops and street corners where the county is responsible for snow removal are also being cleared, though officials said progress is slow due to thick ice layers.
Snow hauling has been completed in parts of Bethesda, Wheaton, Germantown and Clarksburg, with additional overnight hauling planned in Silver Spring business districts.
At-Risk of Over Exertion
Health officials warned residents to limit exertion while shoveling due to the heavy ice. Outreach teams continue transporting unhoused residents to warming centers.
Anyone encountering a life-threatening cold-weather emergency should call 911. The Montgomery County Crisis Services Center can be reached at 240-777-4000, and the Homeless Information Line at 240-907-2688.
View this post on Instagram
Comments are closed.