Alexandria has temporarily suspended its sidewalk-clearing requirements but is encouraging residents to help clear snow across the city, as the Snow Buddy Program is experiencing an uptick in assistance requests this week.
The city typically requires residents, businesses and property owners to clear sidewalks, driveways and entrances within 24 to 72 hours after snowfall, but enforcement is on pause, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Thursday). This comes as Volunteer Alexandria’s snow removal initiative has seen at least 25 new applications for help over the past few days.
“It was 50 volunteers and 65 residents,” Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Reba Winstead told ALXnow on Thursday. “We’re now over 90 residents and people are still calling in. I fully expect us to be over 100 by the end of the day, and those are qualified residents.”
Winstead emphasized the program is primarily intended for city residents with disabilities, who are homebound or are seniors who meet certain income requirements. A limited number of requests have also come from neighboring jurisdictions, which the program hopes to address.
As of this afternoon, 95% of Alexandria’s residential roads are considered “passable,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said on social media.
“The focus for today is continuing the work to reach every single street until 100% of streets are 100% passable,” Gaskins said. “We are also focused on going back over some of the hardest to reach areas and areas where the conditions are not up to the level that we need them to be.”
The city is also focusing on sidewalks — especially those leading to transit routes and areas with school and DASH bus stops.
Conditions have been difficult, following what officials have said are unprecedented levels of sleet and freezing rain, plus overnight refreezes. Some roads, like Duke Street, have required passes up in the double digits, and Gaskins said as many as four Bobcats have been deployed to remove ice on one street.
“Some of these streets are taking one, two, and in the worst case, even three hours before we can move on to the next,” Gaskins said.
The Mayor also discussed how the city prioritizes its streets during snow removal, addressing questions from residents. Streets are categorized into primary, secondary and tertiary roads, with a priority on evacuation routes, hospitals, first responders’ stations, schools and other “critical assets,” she said.
“We do not deploy resources based on the affluence of a neighborhood or the taxes that individuals pay,” Gaskins said.
Looking ahead, the city is beginning preventative treatments in preparation for this weekend’s forecasted storm.
“If you see one of our first responders, or you see folks are assisting with their response, make sure to say hello,” Gaskins said. “Give people a thank you. I think people are doing the best they can, and we are all in this together as we continue to move forward with our response.”
The city’s full announcement is available below.
The City of Alexandria encourages residents to work together to help clear snow and ice from sidewalks and fire hydrants following last weekend’s storm.
Enforcement of sidewalk-clearing requirements is temporarily suspended due to the weather conditions. However, clearing sidewalks remains a critical part of our recovery.
Steady progress is being made across our community, even though conditions mean it is happening more slowly than we all would like. Clear sidewalks help keep everyone safe, especially schoolchildren, seniors, and neighbors with mobility challenges. If you are able, please help clear sidewalks near your property and assist your neighbors.
Residents who need help, and those who can volunteer, are encouraged to participate in the Snow Buddy Program. This program connects volunteers with seniors, homebound or disabled residents, and others who are unable to clear snow on their own.
Thank you for your patience, your efforts, and for continuing to look out for one another across our community.
