Pittsburgh residents question snow removal efforts days after heavy snowfall
Pittsburgh residents express frustration over impassable roads days after a heavy snowfall.
PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR AT FOUR STARTS NOW. HELLO, PITTSBURGH. AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON FOR PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR AT 4:00. I’M SHANNON PERRINE IN FOR KELLY SASSO AND I’M MIKE CLARK IN FOR ANDREW STOCKEY. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON. STARTING WITH YOUR TOP FOUR STORIES AT 4:00. BREAKING NEWS. WE ARE ABOUT TO GET AN UPDATE INTO THE KILLINGS OF ROB REINER AND HIS WIFE, MICHELLE IN LOS ANGELES. THE REINER’S SON, NICK, IS IN CUSTODY RIGHT NOW ON SUSPICION OF MURDER. THE LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE SHORTLY. WE WILL BRING IT TO YOU LIVE WHEN IT BEGINS. AND A TRAFFIC ALERT THIS AFTERNOON. A BROKEN RAIL ALONG THE T IS IMPACTING COMMUTERS TO THE SOUTH HILLS. PRT HAS LAUNCHED SHUTTLE BUSSES TO TAKE PEOPLE BETWEEN STATION SQUARE AND SOUTH HILLS JUNCTION, JUST HOURS FROM A PROPOSED DATA CENTER. DECISION. GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT. SPRINGDALE COUNCIL IS SET TO MEET TONIGHT. THE PROJECT WOULD REPLACE THE DEMOLISHED CHESWICK POWER STATION. CONCERNED NEIGHBORS PLANNING A PROTEST AHEAD OF THAT MEETING. THREE DAYS LATER, AND STILL, THERE IS FRUSTRATION OVER THE CITY’S SNOW REMOVAL PROCESS. SOME NEIGHBORS SHOWED PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. SOME SIDE STREETS WERE STILL COVERED. UNTOUCHED PUBLIC WORKS YESTERDAY SAID IT IS DEALING WITH FEWER WORKING TRUCKS AND EXPECTS FULL CLEARING BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON. THOSE RIGHT THERE ARE YOUR TOP FOUR STORIES THIS TUESDAY. TIME NOW FOR PITTSBURGH’S ACTION WEATHER. AND FOR THAT WE HAVE METEOROLOGIST BRIAN HUTTON JOINING US WITH YOUR CERTIFIED MOST ACCURATE FORECAST. I THINK PEOPLE MIGHT BE STARTING TO THAW OUT TODAY A BIT. A LITTLE BIT. A LITTLE WE DID GET ABOVE FREEZING TODAY. WE ARE ABOVE FREEZING RIGHT NOW, SO WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SUNSHINE IS OUT THERE FOR US AND THAT HAS REALLY LAUNCHED OUR FALL. OUR THAW, FULL SPEED AHEAD. OUR NEXT RAIN CHANCE GETS HERE LATE ON THURSDAY AND THAT LASTS INTO YOUR FRIDAY MORNING, AS WE’LL WATCH FOR RAIN CHANCES. THOSE WILL THEN TRANSITION TO SNOW AND TEMPERATURES WILL DROP AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR FRIDAY. OUR HIGH TEMPERATURE WILL LIKELY BE AT MIDNIGHT. AGAIN, THE MAJORITY OF US NOW ABOVE FREEZING. 35 IN PITTSBURGH AND MONROEVILLE. BEAVER. YOU’RE AT 35 AS WELL. WASHINGTON’S AT 37. UNIONTOWN AT 39. KNOCKING ON THE DOOR 40 DEGREES. WE SHOULD ALL GET THERE TOMORROW. 42. YOUR HIGH TEMPERATURE ON YOUR WEDNESDAY. 50 ON THURSDAY. AGAIN, THOSE RAIN CHANCES LATE THAT LINGERS INTO YOUR FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE TEMPERATURES DROP. BUT STILL A PRETTY SEASONAL WEEKEND AHEAD. SO IF YOU POSTPONE ANY PLANS FROM LAST WEEKEND, THIS WEEKEND WILL COOPERATE FOR ANYTHING YOU’RE WANTING TO DO OUTSIDE. ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. OKAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE READY TO GET OUTSIDE. BRIAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE’LL CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU SOON. SO COLD TEMPERATURES ARE LIKELY THE CULPRIT BEHIND A TRAFFIC ALERT THIS AFTERNOON. PITTSBURGH REGIONAL TRANSIT SAYS A RAIL ALONG THE T BROKE. THIS IS RIGHT ALONG WARRINGTON AVENUE. WE’VE GOT SKY 4 THERE. FLEW OVER THAT SCENE A SHORT TIME AGO. OFFICIALS TELL US BUS SHUTTLES ARE AVAILABLE TO TAKE RIDERS BETWEEN STATION SQUARE AND SOUTH HILLS JUNCTION. LIGHT RAIL SERVICE IS STILL OPERATING BETWEEN STATION SQUARE AND THE NORTH SHORE. PRT TELLS US THIS CLOSURE COULD LAST INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. AND CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE SNOW THIS AFTERNOON. IT HAS BEEN 72 HOURS SINCE OUR LAST WINTER STORM BEGAN, AS SOME NEIGHBORS SAY, THEIR ROADS HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CLEARED. PARTS OF THE CITY RECEIVED UP TO A HALF FOOT OF SNOW. THAT’S RIGHT. AND SOME NEIGHBORS SAY THERE IS STILL SO MUCH SNOW ON THE ROAD THEY CAN’T GET OFF THEIR STREETS. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR REPORTER YASMIN RODRIGUEZ SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY TRAVELING THROUGH SOME PITTSBURGH NEIGHBORHOODS. YASMIN, YOU’RE LIVE IN REGENT SQUARE. WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT TODAY? WELL, SHANNON, MIKE, A LOT OF RESIDENTS ARE FRUSTRATED WAKING UP AND STILL SEEING THAT THEIR SIDE ROADS ARE IMPASSABLE. NOW, THIS IS THREE DAYS AFTER WE FIRST SAW THAT SNOW FALL. NOW, WE’VE BEEN ALL OVER DOWNTOWN REGENT SQUARE SWISSVALE SQUIRREL HILL NORTH NORTH SIDE. AND I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND SOME OF THESE ROADS ARE NOT GREAT. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. THIS WAS A SIDE STREET OFF MURRAY AVENUE IN SQUIRREL HILL. IT WAS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY. SEEING THIS COMPARED TO A MORE HEAVILY TRAFFICKED MURRAY AVENUE. WE SPOKE TO ONE RESIDENT WHO LIVES IN SWISSVALE, BUT COMES OVER TO SQUIRREL HILL FOR WORK, WHO TOLD ME TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY SHE EVEN FELT COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO LEAVE HER HOUSE, BECAUSE THE ROADS SHE NEEDS TO TAKE ARE SO IMPASSABLE. SHE COMPARED HER TIME LIVING IN CHICAGO, TELLING ME THE SECOND SNOW WAS ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD SEE SALT TRUCKS, BUT SHE SAYS HERE SHE IS STILL WAITING TO SEE ONE. THEY KNOW THE SNOW WAS COMING. IT’S NOT LIKE THEY DIDN’T KNOW. SO WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE. WHAT’S THE PREPARATION? IS THERE NO PREPARATION OR YOU JUST DON’T CARE? YEAH. GREAT QUESTION. SO, YASMIN, WHAT ABOUT THOSE PUBLIC WORKS TRUCKS THAT HAVE BEEN NOT UPDATED? YOU REACHED OUT TO CITY CONTROLLER RACHEL HEISLER ABOUT THE FLEET, WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY. YEAH. SHANNON. WELL, SHE TOLD ME IT’S SIMPLE, THAT UNTIL WE ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS FOR THESE FLEETS, THAT THIS IS WHAT SNOW REMOVAL IN THE CITY IS GOING TO LOOK AT. SHE TELLS ME IT’S ABOUT $200,000 FOR A NEW FLEET TRUCK. IT’S SOMETHING SHE AN INVESTMENT. SHE SAYS SHE HOPES CITY COUNCIL WILL ALLOCATE. UNTIL THEN, WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. BUT I’LL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT OUR CONVERSATION COMING UP AT FIVE FOR NOW, COVERING ALLEGHENY COUNTY IN REGENT SQUARE YASMIN RODRIGUEZ, PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, YASMIN. WE’RE ALSO WORKING RIGHT NOW TO LEARN WHAT LED TO A HOUSE FIRE IN BUTLER COUNTY. THIS FIRE STARTED AT AROUND 130 THIS MORNING AT A HOME ON SARVER ROAD IN BUFFALO TOWNSHIP. YOU CAN SEE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THAT TWO STORY HOME. WE DO KNOW MEDICS TRANSPORTED ONE PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL. ANOTHER FIRE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN FAIRCHANCE, FAYETTE COUNTY. THIS WAS THE SCENE LAST NIGHT ALONG RAILROAD STREET. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE, AND RIGHT NOW, NO WORD ON A CAUSE OR IF ANYONE WAS HURT. AND COVERING BEAVER COUNTY NOW, THE OWNERS OF A LONG-TIME BUSINESS START PICKING UP THE PIECES THIS AFTERNOON. CECINA SAUSAGE COMPANY IN ALIQUIPPA, DESTROYED BY FIRE. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR REPORTER AVA RASH IS THERE SPEAKING WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS GREAT LOSS. JUST A REALLY SAD SITUATION FOR THIS BELOVED BUSINESS. FLAMES TORE THROUGH CECINA SAUSAGE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, AND SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS TELL US THEY JUST HOPE THAT THE BELOVED BUSINESS OPENS BACK UP. THE BEST SAUSAGE IN TOWN IS GOING TO BE MISSED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THE SAUSAGE WAS VERY GOOD. THE FOOD WAS VERY, VERY DELICIOUS, TRUST ME. AND NO ONE SAUSAGE TASTE. IT’S GOOD. THIS IS A SAUSAGE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. CECINA SAUSAGE HAS BEEN SERVING THE ALIQUIPPA COMMUNITY USING THE SAME RECIPE THEIR FAMILY BROUGHT OVER FROM ITALY. BUT THAT CAME TO AN END YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A FIRE DESTROYED THE SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS ON KENNEDY BOULEVARD. WE’RE GOING TO MISS IT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE USE GO TO THE RESTAURANTS FOR BREAKFAST FOR THEIR SAUSAGES. YOU KNOW, HE SUPPLIED SAUSAGE AND BREAKFAST TO A LOT OF LOCAL PEOPLE. THE BUSINESS POSTING ON FACEBOOK THANKING THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO BRAVED THE COLD WEATHER TO FIGHT THE FIRE, AND THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT. LIFELONG RESIDENTS TELL US THEY HOPE THE BUSINESS REBUILDS AND THEY’LL BE THERE TO HELP ALONG THE WAY. THAT’S ONE THING ABOUT WE ARE FAMILY AND WE ALWAYS TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE FAMILY. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT SO FAR, NO WORD ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. FOR NOW, COVERING BEAVER COUNTY AND ALIQUIPPA, AVA RASH PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR PITTSBURGH POLICE INVESTIGATE A DOMESTIC ALTERCATION SPANNING TWO CITY NEIGHBORHOODS. CARRICK AND MOUNT WASHINGTON. POLICE RESPONDED TO LELAND STREET IN CARRICK JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT FOR A MAN WITH CUTS TO HIS CHEST. WITNESSES SAY HE WAS ARGUING WITH A WOMAN ON PENELOPE STREET IN MOUNT WASHINGTON. THEN POLICE SAY HE DAMAGED HER CAR AND HIT THE WOMAN. THE MAN LEFT THE SCENE AND CALLED 911. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN STABLE CONDITION, AND HE IS EXPECTED TO FACE CHARGES. SOME RESIDENTS IN SPRINGDALE, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, WILL SOON BE RALLYING AGAINST PLANS FOR A DATA CENTER AT THE SITE OF THE OLD CHESWICK POWER PLANT. LAST WEEK, THE SPRINGDALE BOROUGH ZONING HEARING BOARD VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PROPOSED AI DATA CENTER. NOW, COUNCIL MAKES THE FINAL VOTE TONIGHT AT SIX. PENN STATE UNIVERSITY TAKES STEPS TO HELP STUDENTS AT THOSE COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES, SLATED TO CLOSE AFTER THE SPRING 2020 SEMESTER. THE COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES CLOSING ARE ON YOUR SCREEN, AND THEY DO INCLUDE IN OUR AREA FAYETTE, NEW KENSINGTON AND SHENANGO. NOW, BEGINNING NEXT SEMESTER, STUDENTS MAY SCHEDULE UP TO 24 CREDITS PER SEMESTER WITHOUT INCURRING THE SURCHARGE WHEN EXCEEDING 19 CREDITS. AND FOR THE 2627 ACADEMIC YEAR, STUDENT INITIATED FEES FOR THOSE AT CLOSING CAMPUSES WILL BE WAIVED, AND THAT WILL RESULT IN A SAVINGS OF $315 PER STUDENT PER SEMESTER. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WIT
Pittsburgh residents question snow removal efforts days after heavy snowfall
Pittsburgh residents express frustration over impassable roads days after a heavy snowfall.
Updated: 5:31 PM EST Dec 16, 2025
Pittsburgh residents are frustrated as some roads remain impassable three days after a heavy snowfall, questioning the city’s preparedness and response.VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Dec. 16, 2025 “They know the snow is coming. It’s like they didn’t know, so we just want to know what, what’s the preparation, is there no preparation, or they just don’t care,” said Swissvale resident Jana Hidalgo. “The main streets are fine, so it’s almost like we care more about the main streets, but the side streets, it’s like you’re playing slipping slide in dodgeball,” said Hidalgo. “It is very frustrating that they just can’t come up here and at least throw some salt down or at least once over,” said Northside resident Jason Baptiste. Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler explained the situation, saying, “What we’re seeing is the result of a lack of investment and fleet over the course of the last 15 years.””We need to allocate more resources to the fleet, and until we do that, this is what the removal is going to look like in the city,” Heisler said.In response to the situation, residents like Jason Baptiste and his neighbors have taken matters into their own hands. “We have a maintenance guy that takes care of our condominium building, and we actually pay him out of pocket to take care of University Avenue, the street behind us,” Baptiste said.Despite their efforts, residents continue to call on the city for action. “I would just like, within a 48-hour period, what should be done typically, which is just at least throw some salt down, plow at least once. It’s very frustrating when you drive on Perry’s Avenue, and it’s wet at most,” Baptiste said.Attempts to reach the Department of Public Works for comment were unsuccessful.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.RELATED COVERAGE:
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh residents are frustrated as some roads remain impassable three days after a heavy snowfall, questioning the city’s preparedness and response.
VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Dec. 16, 2025
“They know the snow is coming. It’s like they didn’t know, so we just want to know what, what’s the preparation, is there no preparation, or they just don’t care,” said Swissvale resident Jana Hidalgo.
“The main streets are fine, so it’s almost like we care more about the main streets, but the side streets, it’s like you’re playing slipping slide in dodgeball,” said Hidalgo.
“It is very frustrating that they just can’t come up here and at least throw some salt down or at least once over,” said Northside resident Jason Baptiste.
Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler explained the situation, saying, “What we’re seeing is the result of a lack of investment and fleet over the course of the last 15 years.”
“We need to allocate more resources to the fleet, and until we do that, this is what the removal is going to look like in the city,” Heisler said.
In response to the situation, residents like Jason Baptiste and his neighbors have taken matters into their own hands.
“We have a maintenance guy that takes care of our condominium building, and we actually pay him out of pocket to take care of University Avenue, the street behind us,” Baptiste said.
Despite their efforts, residents continue to call on the city for action.
“I would just like, within a 48-hour period, what should be done typically, which is just at least throw some salt down, plow at least once. It’s very frustrating when you drive on Perry’s Avenue, and it’s wet at most,” Baptiste said.
Attempts to reach the Department of Public Works for comment were unsuccessful.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
RELATED COVERAGE: