Why do snow plows push all of the snow to the center of the road in the city?

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Story Published: Feb 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM PST

By Rachelle Murcia

It seems weird, doesn’t it!? I went to the Seattle Department of Transportation website to find out they have a good reason.

They say snow is plowed to the center of the street so it doesn’t block the path of melting snow flowing to street drains along the curb. Also, this way it doesn’t get in the way of parked cars along the curb.

Another benefit of having snow pushed to the center of the street is that it serves as a barrier between lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. It may be one of the only times snow may help prevent accidents!

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