Here’s some good news following the monster weekend storm and the enormous snow removal work: Trash and recycling collections are expected to resume on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
As concerns the problem of many side streets still not plowed after the 4th largest snow storm in Philly history, City officials expect to have all thruway streets plowed by the end of the day on Wednesday.
How does your street or block look today? If it’s still bad, contact 311 (twitter @philly311) to request plowing and salting (please provide your approximate address).
The Philly311 Contact Center is open until 8p tonight to answer all your @PhiladelphiaGov info and service requests including for #phlsnow
(1/6/2015):Winter has finally arrived and reminded us all why we don’t like it that much. We wanted to pass along reminders about what to watch out for when temperatures drop below freezing and what to do when it snows. Stay warm and be careful as it’s slippery out there today.
City announces Code Blue
During bitter cold conditions, with temperatures near or below 20 degrees, the city issues a Code Blue weather advisory, which was announced at 6 p.m. on Monday. The Code Blue advisory triggers 24-hour outreach to homeless individuals and provides access to emergency housing network (see more here). If you see a homeless person outside and without a shelter during extremely cold conditions, you can call the Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984.
Also a reminder to keep an eye on your pets and keep them inside when it gets too cold (or face penalties!). A new ordinance has been introduced in Philadelphia that makes it illegal to leave your dog outside during freezing (or extremely hot) temperatures. To report a dog left outdoors in severe weather call ACCT Philly at 267-385-3800 and dial 0 to speak with the dispatcher or email: fieldservices@acctphilly.org.
Winter Weather Advisory and Snow Removal
A winter weather advisory is in effect for today, and property and business owners are required to clear a path on the sidewalk within six hours of the end of the snowfall.
Residents and business owners must clear a path on sidewalk at least 36” wide within 6 hours of the end of a storm.
The Philadelphia Streets Department has reminded that property owners are subject to a fine starting at $50 for not complying with this policy. To report a sidewalk that has not been cleared, call the Streets Department Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560.
In case of a heavy snowfall with a large accumulation of snow, the City may declare a snow emergency. Snow emergency means that vehicles parked along the snow emergency routes must be moved to alternate parking spaces, so City crews can clear the snow along these routes.
Mayor Michael Nutter declared a “snow emergency” at about 3 p.m. today, meaning parked vehicles must be moved off “snow emergency routes” as soon as possible so they can be plowed.
Several major streets in West Philly will be affected, including Chestnut Street, Walnut Street and Woodland Avenue. If your vehicle remains on one of these streets it will be ticketed and towed. If your car is towed, call 215-686-SNOW to find out where they took it. If you have to move your car, city officials are asking you to move it as far from a corner as possible to allow the plows room to turn.
So far most bus, train and trolley routes are still running, but may have delays. Go to SEPTA.ORG for info. Also, public and parochial schools are closed tomorrow.
See the full list of snow emergency routes citywide here.
In West Philly, snow emergency routes include:
• Chestnut Street from Cobbs Creek Parkway to 20th Street
• Walnut Street from Broad Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway
• Woodland Avenue from Cobbs Creek Parkway to University Avenue
• 34th Street from University Avenue to Grays Ferry Avenue
• 38th Street from Walnut to University Avenue
• 63rd Street from City Avenue to Walnut Street
• University Avenue from 38th Street to 34th Street
• Island Avenue from Woodland Avenue to Enterprise Avenue
• Cobbs Creek Parkway from Walnut Street to Woodland Avenue
• Schuylkill Avenue from Market Street to Walnut Street
Last year’s record snowfall left sidewalks like this one on 44th Street near Spruce buried.
The City Council passed legislation recently that will now require property owners to shovel at least a 36-inch path – up from 30 inches – down snowy sidewalks. The change is designed to make a wider path for people in wheelchairs, many of who were stranded during last year’s record snowfall. City Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, who proposed the changes, also said the bill will help people pushing strollers.
The catch to all of this, of course, is enforcement. We’ll see if the city backs it up, especially considering that, as the Inquirer reported, City buildings are often the worst offenders of leaving treacherous winter sidewalks.
There’s not much more to it than that, but here’s the actual changes if you’re interested:
The remnants of one of last winter’s storms on 44th St. near Spruce.
A bill is in the Philadelphia City Council that would require building owners to shovel a wider path through sidewalk snow. Bill 100752, now in the Streets and Services committee, would require a 36-inch path (versus the current 30-inch path that is the current law) within six hours of the end of the snowfall.
The bill follows one of the snowiest winters in decades – a winter so snowy that restaurants and bar owners offered drastic price cuts for those who ventured out for a pint and a burger.
Councilwoman Donna Miller is sponsoring the bill, which would presumably make it easier for wheelchairs, baby strollers and people walking by each other to get by on the sidewalks in the event of deep snow.
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