Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Arlington County Readies for Snow
Third Winter Storm of the Season Expected Today
- Snow accumulations of three to six inches
- Plowing priorities are main roads, those around critical facilities
- Report snow-plowing issues by email, phone
ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington County is bracing for its third winter storm of the season today with a forecast for three to six inches of snow overnight and into Wednesday morning.
Road crews will work in 12-hour shifts around the clock to treat and clear County-maintained streets. The County prioritizes roads focusing first on: snow emergency routes, arterial streets, main bus routes, and roads to hospitals, fire stations, Metro stations, the police station and local schools. Once these priority routes are clear, crews will work their way into residential streets.
"County road crews are working hard to keep roads clear during and after snow events, and to repair potholes in between storms,” said Bob Griffin, director for the Department of Environmental Services. “We will have all our snow-fighting equipment back out on the roads tonight. We ask residents to stay off the roads when possible to help our crews plow efficiently. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding."
View snow plow routes and see how roadways are prioritized. The County maintains 60 miles each of arterial and collector streets and 256 miles of residential streets. Find answers to commonly asked snow-plowing questions in the County's new video.
Contacting the County
- If you have a true emergency, contact 911.
- Snow hotline: For snow service updates, call 703-228-6485.
- Email: Send snowplowing inquiries and comments to snow@arlingtonva.us. A response will be issued within 48 hours of receipt.
- Check the County website for frequent updates on closings and cancellations, including updates on school closures and cancellations.
Getting Around
Residents and local businesses also play an important role in snow removal. We ask residents and business owners to clear the sidewalks in front of their property to ensure the safety of pedestrians. This is especially important where students walk to school and need a safe route.
Taking Public Transit
If you need to travel in the County or region during or after the storm, take public transit when possible to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and plows. Visit http://www.commuterpage.com/ for the latest routes and service information. If you must drive, use extreme caution on overpasses and bridges, where freezing may occur.
Contacts: Shannon Whalen-McDaniel, 571-237-2045 OR Myllisa Kennedy, 571-722-8721
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
