Why Does D.C. Suck So Bad at Snow Removal?

"After last weekend's snowstorm, streets in cities across the East Coast are crowded with dirty snow piles that squeeze pedestrians into single-file corridors and force them into gross half-frozen puddle swamps at intersections. But of the major metros, only Washington, D.C., closed its schools through Wednesday, finally reopening on Thursday with a delayed start time - all this despite receiving just six or so inches (plus, to be fair, a treacherous coating of ice on top)."

"And, judging by accounts on the ground, the city remains tricky to navigate by car or foot. This isn't D.C.'s first such debacle in recent years; the capital notoriously sucks at getting snow off its streets. (It is also home to an outsize number of complainers per capita: editors and columnists, who have been airing their thoughts and posting pictures of unplowed roads and uncleared sidewalks, letting everyone know of the wintry inconveniences.)"

Dirty snow piles from a recent storm crowd streets across the East Coast, squeezing pedestrians into single-file corridors and creating half-frozen puddles at intersections. Washington, D.C. closed schools through Wednesday and reopened Thursday with a delayed start after roughly six inches of snow topped by a treacherous ice coating. City navigation remains difficult for drivers and pedestrians. The capital has a repeated history of poor snow clearing and widespread public complaints. City Council promised deployment of new heavy equipment while announcing that alleys will not be cleared until at least next week.

Read at Intelligencer