Worcester winter parking ban remains as snow cleanup continues

• Posted by Worcester News Jan 27 - Filed in News - #City of Worcester  #Eric Batista  #John Westerling  #Department of Public Works  - 1,000 views

  

  WORCESTER — The Winter Weather Emergency declared by the City of Worcester will remain in effect until further notice as crews continue to clear nearly 2 feet of snow from city streets, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

  The city’s winter parking ban, which took effect early Sunday, also remains in place while plowing and cleanup operations continue across Worcester.

  General plowing operations began at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with 72 municipal vehicles and 295 private contractors treating roads, officials said. Crews worked through the night and into Monday afternoon, clearing about 19 inches of snow by 4 p.m. An additional 3 inches fell between 4 and 9 p.m. Monday.

  A second shift of plow operators worked from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday, and general plowing resumed at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with 40 municipal vehicles and 210 private contractors back on the streets.

  About 250 pieces of equipment initially focused on main arteries and are now transitioning to residential and side streets. Crews are also prioritizing snow removal at intersections and near schools.

  With nearly 2 feet of snow falling during the storm and more than 460 miles of public roads and 80 miles of private roads to clear, officials said plowing and treatment operations are expected to continue throughout the week. Snow relocation efforts are planned for later in the week.

  “I’m very proud of the team that we’ve assembled,” said Department of Public Works Commissioner John Westerling. “They worked under the worst of conditions to keep our city open and safe and they will continue to work tirelessly through the week.”

  City officials said cleanup efforts have been hampered by snow being shoveled or blown into roadways and by vehicles parked on streets, which can block plows. Residents and property owners are reminded not to place snow in streets and that they are responsible for clearing and treating sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

  Under Worcester’s Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance, sidewalks must be cleared within 10 hours after snow stops falling, with a minimum cleared width of 4 feet. Crosswalks and curb ramps must also be cleared. Violations can result in a $75 fine per day, and complaints may be reported to Worcester 311.

  Residents are also encouraged to clear snow around fire hydrants, catch basins and curbs to help melting snow drain as temperatures rise.

  All municipal parking garages remain free during the winter parking ban, city officials said, and residents are urged to move vehicles off streets. A list of garages is available on the city’s website.

  The Worcester Police Department has been ticketing and towing vehicles in violation of the ban, issuing about 720 tickets and towing roughly 400 cars as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.

  During the winter parking ban, parking is prohibited on both sides of main arteries, emergency routes, bus routes and certain downtown streets. On other streets, parking is allowed only on the odd-numbered side unless otherwise posted. Residents can search for restrictions by street at worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking.

  Trash and recycling collection is delayed by one day this week due to the storm.

  Worcester 311 processed 1,336 winter-related requests during the storm, including 924 calls on Monday and more than 900 calls as of Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

  An emergency winter overflow shelter at Worcester Technical High School served 95 people during the height of the storm and closed Tuesday morning. Remaining guests were transported to St. John’s Food Pantry for further assistance.

  City Manager Eric D. Batista thanked city workers, contractors, police officers, 311 staff and shelter volunteers for their efforts, urging residents to check on neighbors who may still be digging out after the storm.