City Expands Snow Removal Fleet to 125 Vehicles
Pittsburgh's Department of Public Works is adding vehicles and plows as it prepares for winter storm operations.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Trucks
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The Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has expanded its snow removal fleet to 125 vehicles for the winter, up from 104 last year. The department plans to move to 24-hour, seven-day citywide coverage starting in the second week of December.
Why it matters
The larger fleet and round-the-clock schedule are intended to speed street clearing for Pittsburgh residents and commuters during winter weather. The added capacity reflects investments in equipment and training ahead of the season.
The fleet grows from 104 to 125 vehicles, and 15 new plows were purchased with $2 million in PNC Foundation grant funding. Parks Department trucks were also retrofitted with plows, though the source does not say how many were added.
The players
Pittsburgh Department of Public Works
The city agency responsible for maintaining Pittsburgh's streets and handling snow removal operations.
PNC Foundation
The philanthropic arm of PNC Financial Services Group that provided $2 million in grant funding for new snow plows in Pittsburgh.
The details
Parks Department trucks have been retrofitted with plows, and drivers are training on the snow equipment. iPads installed in the trucks show drivers which streets to cover and road conditions, with maps that change color as streets are completed.
Timeline
Second week of December: the department begins 24-hour, seven-day snow removal coverage.
November 13, 2026: the department announced the expanded fleet.
Roadmap
The expansion builds on last year's 104-vehicle fleet, adding 21 vehicles and retrofitting Parks Department trucks with plows. It marks a shift toward round-the-clock municipal snow operations rather than standard daytime shifts.
Residents can expect faster street clearing once round-the-clock shifts begin in December. Drivers and commuters should plan for possible delays during overnight and early-morning storm operations as crews work through the new schedule.
The takeaway
A larger fleet and around-the-clock shifts give Pittsburgh more capacity to keep streets passable during winter storms. Drivers can check city updates before traveling in heavy snow.
What happens next
Night shifts and the move to 24-hour, seven-day coverage are scheduled to begin in the second week of December.
Further reading
For more on the heavy vehicles used in city operations, see Trucks coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pittsburgh's Action News 4.
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