Why Does The City Plow Snow In Front Of My Driveway?

Press release from the City of Wauwatosa:

January 28, 2021

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than shoveling out the driveway, and then along comes the snow plow and pushes a big pile of snow right back in front of your driveway.

Snow plow operators do not place snow in driveways on purpose. Our plow drivers are sensitive to the work residents do to dig out. If possible, our plow drivers will try to prevent excessive blockages at driveways, but at times this is not possible.

Our primary goal of plowing is to remove snow from streets, so that the road is open to traffic, making it safer for travel. The most efficient method to accomplish plowing the roads is to push snow to the side of the road.

Many people don’t realize it that the snow plows we use are big dump trucks. They’re not like the plows used in parking lots where they can move the snow piles one way or the other quickly.

The snow when plowed is loaded on the front of that plow, and it just continually comes off the driver’s side to the passenger’s side, left to right towards the gutter line. There is no practical way for the snow plow operator to cut off the windrow of snow when crossing a driveway. This is a bigger challenge in alleys and cul-de-sacs because of the space. The driver cannot stop or raise the plow at each driveway as this would leave a pile of snow in the roadway.

How to reduce snow that is plowed in front of your driveway

There are things residents can do to reduce the amount of snow that is plowed in front of your driveway.

• Place as much of the snow as possible to the right side of your drive as you face the street.
• If you shovel out a space, looking at your house to the right side of your driveway. This allows for the amount of snow that’s on that plow to be left in that area before it goes past your driveway.
• Wait until the plow has been through your street prior to clearing your driveway or mailbox, if this is possible. However, if drifting occurs the plows will have to make multiple passes on a road at a later time to keep the road clear. After very heavy snowfalls, crews may have to clean up the next day, which again will place snow in your driveway.

What does Wauwatosa maintain during winter snow events?

• All Public roads in Wauwatosa - 184 miles
• Dead end streets and alleys
• 10 City owned parking lots
• Police Department, City Hall and Public Works parking lots
• All public sidewalks, bridge walks, and bus stops.
• Watertown Plank Road Pedestrian bridge
• 36 salt barrels placed throughout the City

Report an issue

The City maintains a lot of roads throughout the area, but it's possible a section was missed or there were cars parked earlier, preventing us from clearing the area. Report a street issue online.

This press release was produced by the City of Wauwatosa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.