Melting Somerville Snow Pile Exposes Crushed DPW Fleet

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — What started as a practical solution during back-to-back major snowstorms has become a spectacle as a massive snow pile on Washington Street melts, uncovering crushed Department of Public Works vehicles. The Somerville DPW intentionally buried six inoperable cars under the snowpack this winter, prioritizing storm response over relocation amid dwindling storage space.[1][5] One vehicle now bears at least 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of snow and ice, causing it to collapse as warmer weather sets in, according to DPW official Eliasen.[1] The pile, built up from one of the region's snowiest winters in decades, drew crowds of neighbors and Reddit enthusiasts eager to photograph the emerging wreckage.[1][3][5] WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reported on the viral scene, where the weight of dirty snow has mangled the fleet beyond repair, rendering them awaiting disposal.[1][3] City workers are now retrieving the damaged cars and trucks from the lot, a process documented in recent photos by Jesse Costa for WBUR.[5] This unusual disposal method underscores the severity of this year's storms in Greater Boston, where snow removal strained resources across Massachusetts municipalities. Somerville's decision prevented diversion of plows and crews during peak crisis, but now leaves a flattened reminder of winter's toll as spring thaws the evidence.[1][5]