Environmental Services
Snow Removal by the Numbers
Hundreds of dedicated County staff work around the clock to clear snow from roads and keep residents safe during storms. Here is a snapshot of the crews and equipment that have been hard at work during the recent historic snow events.
The Team
- Snow crews work in 12 hours shifts around the clock with a force of approximately 150 crew members from many departments in the County.
- Water Sewer Streets staff have been working continuously in shifts since December 18. Many employees have been working for 17 or more straight days.
- This winter, crews have worked to respond to 9 significant winter weather events, 2 of which consisted of record snow accumulation and near blizzard conditions.
- 30 employees are deployed to hand clear around County facilities and buildings.
- 30 volunteer snow spotters work 10 hours shifts to help identify neighborhood streets that need more snow removal.
- 5 contractors are deploying 4 front end loaders, 5 backhoes, 12 bobcats, and over 30 dump trucks to haul snow from major corridors and help on narrow streets and cul-de-sacs.
- VDEM sent 8 front-end loaders and 16 operators from Richmond ahead of the most recent storm to remove snow from difficult-to-reach residential areas.
The Tools
- The County deploys 70 pieces of snow control equipment, including a snow melter that can melt 60 tons of snow per hour.
- The County has 2 salt storage facilities with a capacity of 10,000 tons, and snow budgets averaging $1 million annually.
- 15 trucks made 2 trips each to Baltimore for additional salt this week alone.
- More than 10,000 tons of salt has been used to treat County roadways this season.
- Snow is hauled to and stored at 5 different parking lots and storage sites - S. Clark St. site, the future Long Bridge Park, Virginia Highlands parking lot (off S. Hayes St. near 15th,), Barcroft #6 parking lot (off Four Mile Run Dr. near George Mason Dr.), and lower Bluemont.
The Task
- The County maintains 60 miles each of arterial and collector streets and 256 miles of residential streets, or 386 total miles of streets.
- Inches of snow Arlington usually receives each winter: 15 inches
- Total snow accumulation this winter: 54.9
- Average annual snowfall Detroit, MI (41 inches), Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN (49 inches), Cleveland, OH (56 inches).
- Downed trees and branches cleared: 80. Streets cleared from blocked trees: 60.
ON THIS PAGE
The Team
The Tools
The Task
CONTACT INFORMATION
Weather Hotlines
Public Schools 866-322-4277
Parks & Recreation 703-228-4715
State Roads
VDOT 888-383-8368
State Roadwork Request
Local Streets
Report a Snow Issue
Snow Service Status Updates 703-228-6485
Report a Pothole (or call 703-228-6570)
Downed Power Lines
Dominion Power 888-667-3000
Gas Emergencies
Washington Gas 703-750-1400
or 800-752-7520
Towed Cars During Snow Emergency
Call 703-558-2222
