Snow & Ice Control
DPW&T is in FULL Operations
DPW&T is running a Full Snow Operation, deploying 230 plows, salt trucks, and other necessary equipment, and adjusting as needed to maintain clear and passable roadways.
The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) mobilized full operations for a snowstorm that impacted the region from Sunday, January 5, through Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Snow Emergency
When a snow emergency is declared, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is responsible for providing “passable” conditions on a network of more than 1,900 miles of county-maintained roadways to ensure the safety of residents, citizens, and travelers.
Snow Plan: One Plan - Five Operations
Five operations cover different types of snow events.
Blizzard Operation
Snow accumulation that must be removed from the roadway with heavy equipment
Full Operation
Multiple day plowing operation with greater than 4 inches of snow
Modified Operation
Plowing operation of 2-4 inches of snow
DPW&T Only Operation
Salting operation with less than 2 inches of snow
Snowflake Operation
Salting operation of icy spots, hilly areas, and bridges
Route Clearing Priorities
Routes are prioritized for service by the following categories: primary, secondary, and residential. Primary and secondary roads are serviced first to ensure that public safety and other emergency vehicles can travel. After completion of these roads, residential roads receive service. Crews work as long as necessary to clear roadways, which consists of salting, sanding, and/or plowing, as warranted by weather conditions.
Resident Responsibilities
To assist crews, citizens, and residents are requested to:
- Move and keep vehicles off snow emergency routes
- Park in driveways or other off-road locations wherever possible
- Park only on the even-numbered sides of roads/streets
It also is important for single-family homeowners/renters and business proprietors to remember that they are responsible for the removal of snow/ice from the sidewalks abutting their homes or businesses.
Road Conditions and Plowing Standards
The three road conditions and plowing standards are passable, bare pavement, and completed.
Passable
Conditions which would allow a passenger vehicle to negotiate the travel path using reasonable care. This usually means that the roadway is snow and/or ice covered and reasonably level, with minimum rutting.
Bare Pavement
Conditions in which 75% or more of the travel land surface shows. (Bare pavement may include isolated patches of compacted snow/ice of 1" or less.)
Completed
Conditions which provide bare pavement for all travel and turning lanes, including paved shoulders (where applicable).
Reporting Road Concerns
During a snow and ice event, residents and citizens are asked to wait 48 hours, after the precipitation has stopped, to call 311 or 301-883-4748 to report emergencies or concerns about roadway conditions/snow removal.
Snow District and Maintenance Facilities
Resources
DPW&T hosted its annual Snow and Ice Summit for the 2024 – 2025 Winter Season. Attendees received pertinent information on snow operations, as well as tips and resources for staying safe this winter from County agencies. |
When a snow emergency is declared, DPW&T is responsible for providing "passable" conditions over a network or over 2,000 miles of County maintained roadways. DPW&T's Snow and Ice Control Quick Reference Guide gives residents an idea of what to expect, tips on how to prepare, helpful emergency numbers, and other important information for snow events. View our Snow and Ice Control Quick Reference Guide below: |
DPW&T's Helpful Hints pamphlet gives residents information about how to prepare for snow and provides tips for shoveling, parking and traveling in Prince George's County during a snow event. View our Helpful Hints pamphlets in English and Spanish below: |
DPW&T's Snowplow Tracking website is designed to display County roadways treatment status during a winter snow and ice event. The website gives County residents the ability to enter an address and/or their current location into the website to retrieve the status of their roadway. Visit PGCTrackSnow to see your roadways! View our PGCTrackSnow brochure below: |
Prince George's County's Abutter Ordinance outlines the responsibilities of residents and business owners to remove snow, ice, weeds, litter and debris on their sidewalks during snow events. View our Abutter Ordinance here: |