Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Arlington County Government, Public Schools Closed Monday, Feb. 8
County crews begin work on neighborhood roads
- Residents urged to stay off roads, stay home if possible
- Main, secondary roads stabilized
- County opens warming center
ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington County Government will remain closed Monday as crews continue to clear roads, Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan announced Sunday. Arlington Public Schools announced that schools also will be closed Monday.
“Our crews are still working round-the-clock clearing massive amounts of snow from County-maintained roads,” Donnellan said. “We are throwing everything we have into this effort, and have stabilized main roads and secondary roads throughout the County. Crews are beginning to work their way into the neighborhoods. We thank residents for their patience and understanding.”
Arlington County Courts also will be closed Monday.
The County opened a warming center at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S, Arlington 22204. The warming center can accommodate 200 persons, but cannot accommodate pets, other than service animals. Residents must bring their own food and water, and must arrange their own transportation to the center.
What Arlington is doing
- Crews have stabilized main, secondary roads and are working their way into neighborhoods. Crews expected to be fully deployed in neighborhoods by Monday.
- Snow plows at times throw snow back into driveways or onto sidewalks that have been shoveled. This is unavoidable.
- 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.
- Check out the County’s video on snow plowing for answers to commonly asked questions.
- No fines will be assessed for overdue materials as long as the libraries are closed. Do not deposit books, materials in already full drop slots.
What you can do
- Hunker down. Stay at home if at all possible.
- Stay off the roads.
- If you walk in the street, walk along the sides of the roads, not in the middle. Watch for emergency vehicles, snow plows.
- Wear light, reflective clothing if you are outside.
- Shovel your driveways, walkways, and the sidewalks in front of your property.
- If you have a downed tree that is blocking a road or on a power line, call 703- 558-2222. Remember that plows need a roadway clearance of 15 feet and will not go down a street where they cannot safely pass.
- Visit the County web site regularly for updates and snow related changes to services, such as trash and recycling collection.
- Stay connected and informed on snow-related information and updates on closings and cancellations:
- Visit the County website
- Become a Facebook fan
- Follow the County on Twitter
Public Transit
Visit http://www.commuterpage.com/ to sign up for ART (Arlington Transit) and Metro Alerts and to view the latest service information.
Contacting the County
- If you have a true emergency, contact 911.
- Snow service information: Staff will begin taking calls on the snow removal information line Monday at 7 a.m. 703-228-6485 or email snow@arlingtonva.us
- Check the County website for frequent updates on closings and cancellations, including updates on school closures and cancellations.
- Call if you have a downed tree that is blocking a road or on a power line call: 703-558-2222.
Media Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
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.
