City crews move forward with delayed trash pick-up and intense snow removal operations

Roanoke, Virginia – In a coordinated response to the extreme winter weather conditions, the City’s Solid Waste Management Division announced that trash collection services will resume today – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – on a two-day delayed schedule, as long as weather and road conditions allow.

Residents whose normal trash pickup falls on Monday were asked to “place their trash out for Wednesday pick-up.” City officials emphasized that all trash should be placed only in safe areas that do not block visibility or interfere with snowplows.

The updated trash collection schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, January 28 – Pick-up for Monday’s regular routes (no alley collection)

• Thursday, January 29 – Pick-up for Tuesday’s regular routes (no alley collection)

• Friday, January 30 – Pick-up for Wednesday’s routes

• Saturday, January 31 – Pick-up for Thursday’s routes

Officials noted that ongoing snow and ice accumulation has made garbage collection challenging. Compacted snow and icy layers have rendered many roads and alleyways nearly impassable for standard trash trucks, prompting the city to integrate sanitation crews into broader snow removal efforts.

Neighborhood Streets the Focus as Plowing Intensifies

With the main roadways largely cleared, Snowfighter operations have shifted entirely to residential neighborhoods, where crews are now working around the clock to restore access. So far, 25% of these streets have been treated and are considered passable, with full passability expected by Friday.

However, due to the rock-hard compaction of snow and ice, snowplows are facing difficult conditions. In some places, plows must pass over the same stretch of road up to 12 times. The city reports that plows equipped with tire chains and raised blades are spreading salt to melt thick ice layers, while others scrape through snowpacks where possible.

Since the storm began, crews have deployed 835 tons of salt and 29,840 gallons of brine, a significant undertaking considering the frigid temperatures that reduce salt’s melting effectiveness. The snow removal effort is being supported by 61 plows and 180 personnel from Public Works, General Services, and the Parks Department, all working in 24-hour shifts.

Downtown Snow Hauling Begins as Parking Adjustments Made

As of Tuesday night, crews also began removing large snow piles from downtown streets. To support these operations, residents and business owners with parked vehicles downtown are encouraged to dig out their cars and move them into city garages, which will be open for free parking until 8 a.m., Friday, January 30.

City leaders continue to urge patience and caution as both snow removal and delayed trash collection proceed throughout the week. With every available resource deployed, the city remains focused on keeping roads safe, clearing access to homes, and ensuring essential services resume in a timely manner.