(Washington, DC) The District has deployed its full Snow Team as the first significant snow of the season falls on the city. Crews from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) were dispatched this morning before it began snowing and are now treating roadways and bridges across the city with salt. Leaf collections are suspended because these crews are integral to the Snow Team.

Forecasts are predicting the District could get 1-2 inches of accumulation before the snow stops this evening. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the day and because of the cold conditions the snow has already started to coat the pavement on many streets. Drivers and cyclists are reminded to slow down and use caution. Pedestrians are also urged to use an abundance of caution when crossing the street because vehicles may slide unexpectedly while attempting to stop at intersections. Travelers are encouraged to use mass transit if possible and workers may also want to consider leaving early this afternoon to avoid battling the elements and traffic congestion during rush hour.

DDOT and DPW have deployed close to 200 pieces of equipment. They have also activated the Snow Command Center at the Reeves Center and are utilizing an upgraded Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) system to track the progress of crews on the streets. The AVL system gives managers the ability to see which streets have been treated and which haven’t, and to shift resources accordingly. District residents can see some of the same information online at snowmap.dc.gov.

The Snow Team has also made a number of other changes to address lessons learned from last winter, including:

• New contingency plans for more than 12 inches and 18 inches of accumulation
• New contract to rent up to 50 additional snow plows if needed
• Expanded National Highway System (NHS) plowing contract to add more plows, spray trucks and loaders
• COG salt contract will be utilized to backup District’s supply
• Expanded existing contract for more plows, bobcats, loaders and backhoes
• Ward-based management and field reporting system
• Expanded and improved training program for drivers and supervisors
• Expanded anti-icing pre-treatment of residential streets using 4 small spray trucks procured last year

DDOT and DPW remind commuters and residents to:

• Remember that driving on ice is significantly different than driving on snow.
• Use extreme caution and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles.
• Remember even a 4-wheel drive SUV does not perform well in ice and additional safety measures should be followed.
• Be aware of road conditions, particularly black ice which can be deceptive, giving the driver a false sense of security on the road.
• Watch for slippery bridge decks, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
• Remember to keep a safe distance from emergency and snow vehicles and please use caution when attempting to pass a snowplow. Give the drivers plenty of room to safely do their jobs.
• Clear all the snow and ice from your vehicle's windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.
• Clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within eight hours following the end of a snow/ice storm.
• Help your elderly or disabled neighbors remove snow from steps and sidewalks.

For more information about the District’s snow and ice control plan, visit DDOT’s website at ddot.dc.gov or DPW’s website at dpw.dc.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter.com @DDOTDC or @DCDPW for regular updates on road conditions and snow removal efforts.

Media Contacts

John Lisle (DDOT) (202) 671-2375

Linda Grant (DPW) (202) 671-2375