Columbus Activates Unused Downtown Snow‑Hauling Plan After Record‑Breaking Storm

Updated 2026-01-27 04:15:52+00:00 (4 articles)

Historic Storm Dumps Up to Sixteen Inches of Snow Across Columbus The weekend blizzard delivered between eight and sixteen inches of snow citywide, prompting a Level 3 snow emergency that was downgraded to Level 2 at 11:55 a.m. on Monday while roads remained hazardous and travel was discouraged [2]. Officials described the event as one of the most serious winter storms in decades, emphasizing the need for continuous crew operations under dangerous conditions [2].

City Prioritizes Major Arterials for Clearance Within 24 Hours The Division of Infrastructure Management focused on Priority‑1 arterial routes such as State Route 315, High Street and Cleveland Avenue, targeting passable conditions within the next 12‑24 hours [2]. Hundreds of crews, including the dedicated “Snow Warriors,” were deployed across Columbus and neighboring municipalities, with progress tracked via multiple online snow‑service maps [2]. Work on Priority‑2 collector streets had also begun, balancing downtown needs with broader neighborhood service [1].

Downtown Deploys Unused Snow‑Hauling Plan, Central Lane Plowing For the first time since a 2008 blizzard, Columbus activated a downtown snow‑hauling plan, clearing two‑way streets down the middle to create a central lane for dump trucks while maintaining traffic flow [1]. Approximately fifteen dump trucks, assisted by Franklin County drivers, continuously loaded snow and hauled it to an asphalt lot at McCoy Park, where it will melt [1]. The strategy aims to achieve safe, passable roads rather than total snow removal, and crews will continue hauling until streets return to normal [1].

Safety Incidents and Public Advisories Amid Ongoing Operations A crew member was struck by a snowplow near Easton Town Center, lost consciousness, and was hospitalized before being released, highlighting the hazardous working environment [2]. Residents reported nervousness about central‑lane snow piles and a vehicle becoming stuck, prompting officials to acknowledge the safety concerns while stressing the necessity of the piles for removal [1]. Mayor Ginther urged the public to stay home, avoid downtown travel, and report hazardous conditions to 311 [2].

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Timeline

Dec 2, 2025 – Columbus Department of Public Service activates 50 plow trucks on major arteries, hospitals, schools and employment centers, as Mayor Andrew Ginther announces at a storm‑response conference; Director Kelly Scocco says crews work 24 hours a day in 12‑hour shifts covering ~4,600 lane‑miles, backed by 30,000 tons of road salt and a 4,000‑gallon‑per‑hour brine system, with auxiliary staff slated to clear residential streets from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning [4].

Dec 13, 2025 – Columbus prepares for the weekend winter storm: Snow Warriors pre‑treat curves, hills and bridges with a salt‑molasses‑chloride mix; ODOT plow routes take 3‑4 hours and may have 2‑3 hour gaps, while strong winds could blow cleared roads back over; officials note the storm will be brief, forecast warmer temperatures the following week, and urge motorists to slow down, allow extra travel time and stay patient [3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Mayor Andrew Ginther briefs media on the aftermath of a historic winter storm that dumped 8‑16 inches of snow, calling it “one of the most serious winter storms we’ve had in decades”; he notes a Level 3 snow emergency was downgraded to Level 2 at 11:55 a.m., urges residents to stay home, and promises a further update on Tuesday morning [2].

Jan 27, 2026 – Division of Infrastructure Management administrator Scott Tourville announces activation of the downtown snow‑hauling plan for the first time since the 2008 blizzard, describing the event as “historical” in scale; crews plow two‑way downtown streets down the middle to create a central lane for dump trucks, which haul snow to McCoy Park with Franklin County assistance, while priority‑2 and‑3 neighborhood streets are slated for clearance after downtown work is complete [1].

Jan 27, 2026 – Tourville stresses the city’s goal: “safe, passable roads, not total clearance,” and explains that central snow piles—though unsettling to drivers like Megan Rowe and Beth Lloyd—are necessary for efficient removal; crews continue hauling and monitoring until streets return to normal, and officials ask the public to report hazards via 311 [1].

Jan 28, 2026 – Mayor Ginther is set to deliver a follow‑up briefing on the snow‑removal effort, as promised during Monday’s press conference, to update residents on progress clearing priority‑1 arterials and any remaining hazards [2].