[Archived] City of Alexandria Reminds Residents and Business Owners to Be Prepared for Winter Weather Challenges

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	February 25, 2007 PIO# 051-07/sjm	Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA REMINDS RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO
BE PREPARED FOR WINTER WEATHER CHALLENGES

The City of Alexandria is committed to providing residents with continuous service and up-to-date information during winter weather emergencies. Residents and those who work in the City are urged to be prepared for winter weather challenges, to know the law and be alert for snow emergency declarations.

Snow and ice removal. The Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is responsible for snow and ice removal from most public streets within the City limits. City crews work around-the-clock to ensure that all primary roads, hospital and emergency routes and school bus routes are kept clear and passable. The City’s snow removal operations plan also aims to make all other roadways passable within 24 hours of a 6-inch snowfall, and cleared within 48 hours.

A map of primary and secondary routes and additional information can be viewed on the City's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov/tes. All primary routes and some secondary routes are designated snow emergency routes and are posted with emergency route signage.

Driving and Parking. The City’s ability to clear snow from streets is directly impacted by how many vehicles are on the roads or parked on streets clogged with snow. Residents and businesses are reminded to follow driving and parking regulations during snow emergencies:

� Drive only when necessary and when equipped with snow-approved tires or chains. Vehicles not properly equipped can be fined for obstructing or impeding traffic on a snow emergency route.

� Park away from snow emergency routes and off all streets if possible. Vehicles parked on emergency routes can be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Sidewalks. Alexandria business owners and homeowners are responsible for clearing sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after a storm has ended. Failure to clear sidewalks may result in the property owners being charged by the City for sidewalk snow removal. It is illegal to shovel snow from private property onto the sidewalk or street.

More snow removal tips:
� Clear leaves and snow from nearby fire hydrants and storm drains;
� Check on neighbors needing special assistance;
� Use alternate transportation during winter storms, and
� Make early arrangements for required snow shoveling on adjacent sidewalks.

Weather Emergency Information: Up-to-date information about snow emergencies, scheduling changes, or cancellations in City programs will be posted on the City's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov, e-mailed to subscribers of the City's free "eNews" service, and provided to radio and television stations for broadcast. For general information during office hours, call the Office of Citizen Assistance at 703-838-4800. To subscribe to eNews for the latest information in more than 50 categories, visit enews.alexandriava.gov.

For snow removal information or to report potholes, call 703-838-4488.

Water main breaks: In the event of a water main break in underground pipes, water to surrounding buildings is shut off temporarily while workers repair the problem. To report a water main break, call the Virginia American Water Co. at 703-549-7080 or 703-491-8814 after normal business hours.

Power outages: To report an electrical power outage, call Dominion Virginia at 1-888-667-3000.

###