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Blizzard 2015: NYC Travel Ban Begins At 11PM Tonight
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 26, 2015
Modified Jan 26, 2015
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 26, 2015
Modified Jan 26, 2015
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Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC public schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, and the roads will be closed to all non-emergency vehicles starting at 11 p.m.
"An emergency situation, that will be respected," the mayor said, referring to EMS and police vehicles. "A non-emergency, obviously...someone may be stopped at that point. You cannot be on the roads after 11 p.m."
"The travel ban is for everyday residents going about their business."
That includes the two-wheeled chariots that bring food to your doorstep.
"Food delivery bicycles—not an emergency vehicle," de Blasio said. "If you are part of the city government, if you are a first responder, if you are essential public servant," you may use the roads. Everyone else: "As of 11 p.m., get out of the way."
NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill said "there are a number of steps we can take" against those who defy the travel ban.
"It will be up to the discretion of the police officers involved. It could be anywhere from a summons, to, in the worst case scenario, an arrest. Not what we want to do, we want to be helping people, but we need people to say off the roads tonight."
The mayor said the travel ban will be lifted "when it is safe to lift the ban."
For those who were hoping to dig their vehicles out: "A simple way to put it is, you're not going anywhere until we lift the emergency order."
Other notable announcements: Alternate side parking is cancelled through Wednesday; trash and recycling collection has also been suspended for the immediate future. The Staten Island Ferry will remain open but DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg says to "stay tuned to social media." Regents exams that were scheduled for tomorrow have been rescheduled for Thursday.
Further school closings will be determined by the weather pattern and the City's ability to clear the roads, the mayor said. (Snow Days are not taken lightly in New York City.)
The mayor urged those without heat and hot water, people who need shelter from the storm, and anyone encountering illegal price-gouging, to call 311.
The mayor added, "You can't underestimate this storm, this is not a typical storm. We have to expect heavy accumulation in a short period storm... People cannot be hit off-guard. Stay off the roads, stay off the sidewalks."
"This is not gonna be like others snowstorms," the mayor said. "This will be worse."
Tagged
blizzard 2015
snow day
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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