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De Blasio On Snow: Things Are Going To Be Messy
By
Lauren Evans
Published Feb 3, 2014
Modified Feb 3, 2014
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By
Lauren Evans
Published Feb 3, 2014
Modified Feb 3, 2014
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Bill de Blasio is, as one reporter put it during today's now-customary weather press conference, being "baptized by snow." The fledgling mayor has already notched a few storms under his belt, and said that, despite some setbacks (three words: Upper East Side), he's quickly learning what successful storm management entails.
For starters, he said, city agencies are collaborating on snow removal efforts better than they have in the past, and the mayor's office is engaging in more effective outreach with New Yorkers. "I'm not going to mince words—the previous administration didn't do that very well," he said.
De Blasio said he's already implemented some improvements since the last storm struck in early January. He and his staff cancelled trash and recycling pick up ahead of time, in order to free up additional Department of Sanitation resources. The agency also pre-positioned salt spreaders, and the MTA prepared its tow vehicles and saw to it that all articulated buses had chains on their wheels. (What the hell was the case before?) The mayor also said he identified potential improvements to snow removal routes, though none that he was prepared to share just yet.
"Every new administration has an opportunity to put a fresh set of eyes on the situation," he told reporters. "Though some things could be better coordinated, I think in this process we’ve created some stronger protocols."
De Blasio stressed the idea of progression—not all of the city's 6,300 miles of streets will be cleared at once, he said, adding that primary roads will always take precedence to secondary and tertiary roads.
"It's not about regret, its about doing things well and showing people we’re hearing their concerns and acting on them," he said. "People deserve to see a city government firing on all cylinders."
De Blasio also emphasized the following points, in bullet points below:
- This is the first of three storms expected to wallop New York this week: The second will arrive Tuesday, and the third is scheduled to douse us this weekend. This will likely be the most severe of those three.
- Take mass transit to whatever extent possible. The timing of the storm unfortunately means that more cars were on the road during the morning rush hour, meaning Department of Sanitation will already struggle to maneuver around traffic. Help them help us by leaving yours parked.
- If you're walking, mind the slick sidewalks and crosswalks.
- A winter storm warning is in effect until 7 p.m., though it hit its peak at 2 p.m. The city will receive a total of four to eight inches, though some areas are already up to five inches.
- Good news! Temperatures are in the low 30s, or low 20s with wind chill. By polar vortex standards, that's considered tropical.
- 450 salt spreaders have been dispatched, along with 1500 plowing vehicles and 175,000 tons of rock salt, which, it turns out, is more effective in warmer weather.
- 2,000 sanitation workers are working on 12-hour split shifts, so think about them before you vocalize your gripe about having to "go out in that" to fetch your third cup of designer coffee.
- PlowNYC has been activated
- Alternate side parking has been suspended tomorrow, but meters are in effect.
- Property owners are required to shovel their walks within four hours of the cessation of snow fall. The overachieving mayor would like to point out that despite holding the single most important job in the city, he's already shoveled his walk—twice. And what have you done today?
- If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have a complaint you consider an emergency but is actually just a complaint ("My car is stuck and I have a meeting!"), please call 311.
Tagged
bill de blasio
department of sanitation
department of transportation
office of emergency management
snow
Lauren Evans
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