NYC Sneckdowns: How the City Battles Post-Storm Snow Obstacles

New York City is battling a particularly stubborn winter and the aftermath of recent heavy snowfall is revealing a curious urban phenomenon: the “sneckdown.” These formations, a portmanteau of “snow” and “neckdown” (a term for curb extensions designed to protect pedestrians), are essentially walls of snow that accumulate in areas cars don’t typically travel, effectively creating temporary, natural curb extensions.

The city experienced a significant winter storm that dropped fifteen inches of snow, prompting the deployment of over twenty-two hundred snowplows and the spreading of 209 million pounds of salt, supplemented by 200,000 gallons of calcium chloride. Despite these efforts, the consistently freezing temperatures – with no rise above freezing recorded in recent days – have prevented the usual melting process, resulting in the hardening and settling of snow into these notable formations.

Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman of the Department of Sanitation recently observed the removal of sneckdowns at the intersection of 174th Street and Broadway in Washington Heights. He noted the challenges faced by sanitation workers, explaining that “These are one of the only things that can break an ice boulder,” referring to the tools required to dismantle the hardened snow.

The Department of Sanitation has begun deploying eight snow-melting machines across the city, each capable of processing 60 to 120 tons of snow per hour. The melted snow is heated to approximately 38 degrees Fahrenheit before being discharged into the sewer system, a process approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. The city plans to continue these snow-melting operations for the next couple of weeks, given the continued frigid temperatures.

However, the cleanup isn’t without its complexities. Sanitation workers differentiate between various types of snow accumulation, with “corner caps” being the official term for sneckdowns. The narrow path carved through a sneckdown for pedestrian passage is known as a “curb cut.” A blocked bus stop, however, is not considered a sneckdown. According to sanitation workers, a key indicator of whether a snow pile qualifies as a sneckdown is the absence of tire tracks – if cars have been driving through it, it’s not a true sneckdown.

Responsibility for snow removal is also clearly defined, yet nuanced. Snow on the street falls under the city’s jurisdiction, while snow on the sidewalk is the responsibility of property owners. However, snow accumulating around parked cars is the driver’s responsibility, even though it’s technically on the street. Sheltered bus stops are the responsibility of the Department of Transportation, while regular bus stops fall to the adjacent property owner, with the city ensuring bus access – previously, access was defined as simply being able to open the bus door, but current city policy, championed by Mayor Mamdani, now requires pedestrian access at every stop.

The city is utilizing a real-time map, PlowNYC, to track snowplow activity, powered by a computer program called Blade Runner. Interestingly, the majority of New York City’s snowplows are standard garbage trucks equipped with plow attachments, demonstrating a resourceful adaptation of existing infrastructure.

The current snowstorm and subsequent cleanup efforts have also become a focal point for Mayor Mamdani’s broader “sewer socialism” initiative, which emphasizes addressing everyday municipal problems. The Mayor was even observed shoveling snow near public housing in Bed-Stuy, prompting a lighthearted comment from Governor Kathy Hochul about wearing a hat. Commissioner Javier Lojan noted that Mamdani attended morning roll call with sanitation workers on the first day of the storm, even offering feedback on shoveling technique – suggesting the Mayor “bend his knees a little more.”

The ongoing efforts involve approximately 2,500 sanitation workers rotating on 12-hour shifts, supported by over 500 emergency snow shovelers, who are being paid a starting rate of $19.14 per hour. One such emergency shoveler, Anthony Gutierrez, normally a truck driver, was observed using an ice scraper outside a radiologist’s office on Broadway. Another, Daniel Johannes, a construction worker, described his experience, stating, “Our neighbors need to pass these streets,” despite working his third twelve-hour shift.

Despite the city’s efforts, sidewalks and some streets remain blocked as of today, February 3, 2026, leaving residents struggling with accessibility. Alternate side parking rules are suspended through Sunday, February 1st, though parking meters remain in effect. The NYC Ferry system remains suspended due to icy conditions, with potential closures extending several days if conditions don’t improve. The city remains under an enhanced Code Blue, with shelters, warming centers, and mobile warming vehicles available to those in need. The death toll related to the cold snap has risen to 14 as of Saturday, January 30, 2026, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the city’s population during extreme weather.