Arlington’s snowplows moved into the final phase of their cleanup efforts today (Wednesday), but sidewalks and streets littered with blocks of snow persist in many places.
County crews are now in Phase 4 of storm response, clearing ice off roads, school grounds and county property, including designated trails. Waste collection will also return on a limited basis tomorrow, only for trash and recycling carts.
If carts aren’t collected by late afternoon, don’t report it as a missed collection, the Solid Waste Bureau advised in an announcement. Waste will be collected next Thursday as part of regular curbside collection.
In narrow roads and busy commercial areas, the county’s teams have been hauling away mounds of snow and ice left by plows and transporting them to designated areas. Removal operations in Ballston, for instance, closed a portion of Wilson Blvd for several hours this afternoon.
Some of the snow is getting melted in one of the county’s two snow melters, while other snow is getting deposited in growing mountains of icy debris, including one on 14th Street N. near the large surface parking lot in Courthouse.
Despite the efforts underway, residents throughout the county continue to report difficulties with snow on sidewalks or in the road, making it difficult to cross the street, wait for a bus or even walk around some residential areas.
One tipster shared a video of an ART bus that appeared to be wedged between snowbanks at Fairfax Drive and N. Quincy Street. Others have contacted ARLnow about plows pushing snow into areas that have already been cleared, leaving residents to bust out the shovel once again.
“After many hours spent clearing my sidewalks to be a good neighbor and comply with the county snow ordinance, I now have 4-5 feet of ice and snow on a 25 foot stretch of sidewalk,” one tipster wrote, sharing photos of a sidewalk covered in debris.
And how exactly are people supposed to cross the street to take public transportation with this mountain of snow?
How do you do this with a stroller, or carrying a baby, without slipping on ice? pic.twitter.com/000LJdmLF3
— Beatriz Pascual Macías (@bpmacias) January 28, 2026
In a report to County Board members yesterday afternoon, County Manager Mark Schwartz said that part of the issue may be privately contracted snowplows that move too quickly, launching pieces of ice further than necessary. He said that the county’s plows “move very slowly” — but even so, some level of inconvenience is inevitable.
“As a matter of fact, I found out that the driveway I shoveled out to get to the office this morning is now filled by a county plow, so I look forward to handling that when I get home,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz has suspended enforcement of the county’s snow removal ordinance for the time being.
Persistent snow and ice in the public right of way is a perennial issue in Arlington. However, officials have said that the amount of snow and sleet left by last weekend’s storm, paired with days of freezing temperatures, have created unique difficulties this time around.
While crews work to clear roads, transit services have been slowly recovering. As of this morning, Metro trains were operating every 10-20 minutes, while ART buses were operating on a “severe” service level with only a handful of routes running.
The Arlington County Police Department reminded drivers to practice extra caution, drive slowly and increase following distance amid icy conditions.
❄️The snow may have stopped, but icy conditions on the roads will be present for the next few days. If you must drive during these conditions, follow these safe driving tips: pic.twitter.com/SqorKrJqlH
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) January 28, 2026
