PITTSBURGH \u2014 Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor has vowed a better response for the next snowfall. O\u2019Connor\u2019s 8-point plan, announced Thursday, follows nearly a year of 11 Investigates reporting on issues plaguing the Department of Public Works (DPW).<\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> New administration in Pittsburgh making changes to prepare for next big snowfall<\/a><\/p>\n O\u2019Connor said in a letter to the council that 72 of the city\u2019s 104 salt trucks are roadworthy. That figure is roughly the same as what Christopher Horstein, director of public works, told 11 Investigates last February.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates uncovers a third of Pittsburgh\u2019s snow plows are out of commission<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe are always challenged with people and trucks,\u201d Hornstein said in February 2025. \u201cI\u2019ll just be frank, a third of our fleet is kind of unavailable due to maintenance reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor\u2019s plan calls to address both the manpower issues and maintenance issues. The letter to the council outlines driver training and extending hours to make vehicle repairs.<\/p>\n 11 Investigates previously reported that nearly half of the city vehicles are beyond their recommended service life. At the time, the council was focused on emergency vehicles breaking down.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Pittsburgh employee sounding alarm about dire conditions of city vehicles<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just wasting taxpayer dollars because we are spending so much on maintenance,\u201d Bobby Wilson, Pittsburgh City Councilman, told 11 Investigates in October. \u201cWe\u2019re spending more on maintenance than half the cost we pay for the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh fleet manager says nearly 300 vehicles need to be replaced within 2 years<\/a><\/p>\n O\u2019Connor\u2019s plan also vows to address salt facilities. In late 2025, the council briefly considered partnering with Munhall to address shortages and long drives.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> After winter weather struggles, Pittsburgh may ask Munhall to help with snow removal<\/a><\/p>\n Dan Gilman, chief of staff, spoke at a Thursday meeting about an updated plan on how the city leadership will establish command centers during snowfall. A key part of that is getting the city\u2019s snowplow tracking system back up and running. As 11 Investigates has previously reported, the tracker has been down for a myriad of issues the city has blamed on technology. The city plans to install GPS units in trucks Friday to map out the 1,200 miles the city is required to maintain.<\/p>\n \u201cThe public needs to be able to see that we\u2019re out there,\u201d Gilman said Thursday. \u201cThat we\u2019re working. 24\/7 for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n