Why does VDOT push snow up against people’s driveways?

Clearing snow and ice away from private entrances, such as driveways and private roads, is the responsibility of property owners, not the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Though VDOT only plows state-maintained roads and not private driveways, the agency does not intentionally push snow into driveways or intentionally push snow in front of driveways, said VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones.

“The blade is fixed at an angle to push snow to the side — off the road surface. The same amount of snow that is pushed to the road shoulder is pushed in front of driveways,” she said.

“We encourage citizens to wait until after the plow has made at least one pass to clean driveway entrances … We also encourage piling snow from driveways to the right of the entrance to avoid having it pushed back into the entrance itself.”

“During snow events, VDOT is tasked with making our roads passable as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible,” said Scot Shippee, resident engineer of VDOT’s Dillwyn Residency. “Plowing is normally performed with the flow of traffic, and since we cannot create a hazard by pushing snow into

an adjacent travel lane, our blades are angled to push the snow towards the shoulder. The clearing of private entrances is not a VDOT practice and is the responsibility of the property owner,” he said.

“Since our trucks are plowing in the direction of the travel lane, anything shoveled to the left of a private entrance has the potential to be pushed right back where it was removed.”

According to the agency’s website, VDOT’s goal is to make all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a winter storm ends.

When plowing roads, VDOT puts priority on interstates and most primary roads, then snow emergency routes and heavily trafficked roads, then other secondary roads and residential streets.

“With heavy snow, plowing can cause snow to accumulate in roadside gutters and on road shoulders — sometimes even blocking driveways. When this occurs, VDOT asks that you shovel snow to the right of your driveway as you face the road. This is to prevent snow from piling up again if your road is re-plowed.”