Snowplows struggle to clear Utah roads amid storm, but you can help

DRAPER, Utah — In Draper City along Traverse Mountain snowplows have been sliding off the road and getting stuck.

It sounds a bit shocking, but it’s true.

Utah’s picturesque mountains can become dangerous in the winter in more ways than one, and in this instance, it’s when snow piles up along the roads and makes travel nearly impossible. Even for those whose job it is to clear the roads for everyone else.  

Suncrest City which sits at the top of Traverse Mountain is a consistent trouble spot for snowplows.

“The snow drifts up there are probably five- to six-feet tall and that creates some real challenges for the vehicles, said Draper Public Works Director Scott Cooley, “because they just can’t get through that. And when they try they get stuck,” said Cooley. 

Narrow roads, steep inclines, and a lack of space to put snow have also been challenges for snowplow drivers over the past few days. During this last storm, they received over two feet of fresh powder and had some snow drifts that were taller than the plow trucks themselves.

Many cities in Utah offer tips for winter parking along with online maps as a way to help residents help snowplow drivers during snowstorms. Here’s one example from South Jordan, and another from North Ogden City.

Elizabeth Weiler contributed.

Related reading:

• Snowplows will be out in force to clear roads around Utah, UDOT says
• Storm moves out, leaving Utah feeling chilly