District Snow Team Set for Mid-Day Deployment

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

person with snowblower and text Is your sidewalk shoveled?

(Washington, DC) The District’s Snow Team is preparing for a mid-day deployment in advance of an expected snow storm that could drape the city in 1-3 inches of snow between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the District with light snow forecasted to begin falling before 3 pm today. Crews from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Department of Public Works (DPW) have already pretreated elevated surfaces and many residential streets and will deploy today in more than 200 trucks to salt and plow the city’s 1,100 miles of roadway.

“For the second time this season, it looks like we will be spared a direct hit from a powerful storm that will strike up north,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr., “But we still could get some accumulation, enough to plow even, and we are prepared.”

There may also be enough snow to shovel and residents and businesses are reminded they should be prepared to clear the walkways adjacent to their properties, as required by District law. To encourage compliance, DDOT and DPW are launching a public awareness campaign called “Is your sidewalk shoveled?” The campaign’s simple message is driven home on a poster by the image of a mother pushing a baby stroller in the street adjacent to a snow covered sidewalk.

“It is our responsibility to make sure the roadways are treated, plowed and passable,” said DDOT’s Interim Director Terry Bellamy, “But many people moving around the city are on foot, and we need every property owner to pitch in to ensure the sidewalks are as safe and clear as the streets.”

The two agencies will promote the campaign on their web and social media sites and make the information and materials available to local residents, businesses, BIDs, bloggers and media outlets to help spread the message. DDOT also plans to post the campaign poster on bus shelters in the city later this winter. To request a high resolution copy of the poster, please email [email protected].

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.

Metro

Metro is advising riders to expect normal service on Tuesday in spite of the weather forecasts. Riders are encouraged to use care and caution while entering and exiting Metrorail stations as station platforms may be slippery. For more information visit www.metroopensdoors.com.

Pepco

Pepco is also preparing for the possibility of snow as well as a wintry mix in some areas. In advance of the storm the agency provided the following information for customers:

Heavy wet snow and strong winds could bring tree limbs onto wires, resulting in power outages. Outages can also occur due to drivers skidding into utility poles located along icy and snow-covered roads.

Pepco strongly urges everyone to call 1-877-Pepco-62 (1-877-737-2662) to report power outages and downed wires (stay away from downed wires and report them immediately).

Additional information may be found at www.pepco.com.

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