PHILADELPHIA – The Streets Department stands ready for the impending inclement weather, Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams announced today.

Current forecasts are calling for 2 to 5 inches of snow beginning late Thursday and tapering off early Friday morning. Crews began brining yesterday and will mobilize at 11pm on Thursday for deployment. The Streets Department will have 100 pieces of equipment ready to treat the streets with over 45,000 tons of salt available. This is planned to be a salting operation of primary and secondary roads, bridge decks and streets in higher elevations, however, crews will be prepared to plow if the conditions change. Crews will remain on-duty overnight to monitor roadways and respond to problem locations and emergencies. Our goal is to make roads passable and return the city back to normal operations as quickly as possible. This does not mean roads will be completely clear of snow and ice but made passable for safe traveling.

The snow is expected to impact the morning commute. Motorists are asked to allow extra time and maintain safe driving distances to allow for sudden stopping. The frigid temperatures and cold ground will make it easy for snow to accumulate and cause slippery travel on untreated roadways.

Trash and Recycling Collections:

The Streets Department is experiencing trash and recycling collections delays as a result of the recent COVID-19 surge. Inclement weather could possibly create further delays. Residents should continue to set materials out on their regular day.  Residents can track the progress of collections on their block by clicking on the PickupPHL tab at streetsmartphl.phila.gov. Updates can also be found at phila.gov/streets and on social media.  To avoid collection delays, residents are strongly encouraged to use  Sanitation Convenience Centers that will remain open from Monday through Saturday between the hours of 8AM to 6PM.

Snow Reminders: 

• Pile snow on the sidewalk along the curb line.  Do not shovel or plow snow into the street. This practice is illegal, unsafe and hinders snow operations. The penalty for violating this can range from $50 to $300 for each violation.
• Clear a sidewalk path at least 3 feet wide within six hours of the end of the storm.
• Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.  Shoveling snow into a plowed street hinders plowing efforts and it is illegal.