Snowplows will be roving around Alexandria tomorrow morning (Friday) as part of an annual training exercise.
The “dry run” training is part of the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services’ yearly effort to prepare for winter weather. Residents should expect to see plows and other “winter response vehicles” on the streets, according to a city announcement.
“Exercises are an essential part of the City’s winter preparedness strategy, which give City crews the opportunity to refamiliarize themselves with equipment, routes, and safety procedures and more efficiently respond to winter weather events when the time comes,” the announcement reads. “Exercise runs also allow T&ES to identify and address any maintenance or operational issues with City snowplows and winter weather equipment ahead of an actual weather event.”
Operators may brine the streets to prepare for Friday’s forecasted light snow, but the training is not an active response to a storm.
Snow accumulation is possible across the D.C. region after 7 a.m. tomorrow, but it will likely be less than a half inch, according to the National Weather Service. In the event of a wintry weather response, live snowplow updates are available on the city’s SnowReport webpage.
The city asks drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are asked to “exercise caution” and give operators ample space to maneuver safely if they encounter a snowplow.
Alexandria’s snowplow routes cover 561 lane miles of roadways and 20 miles of public sidewalks, walkways and pathways, as well as 44 acres of municipal parking lots and public squares, according to the city. Alleys and private parking lots are typically not included.
Alexandria typically gets some 15 inches of snowfall per year.
The city prioritizes and responds first to major streets and snow emergency routes, known as “primary routes,” followed by residential areas and public transit routes, or “secondary routes.”
T&ES partners with the parks department, the Department of General Services and Alexandria City Public Schools to communicate and work together regarding snow removal.
