Mayor: 100% of primary, secondary streets now passable
Crews hauling snow from intersections; 99% of residential roads clear
All primary and secondary streets in Alexandria are now passable, with residential roads at 99%, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a video update Saturday morning.
“Passable does not mean clear. It does not mean that you will fully see the blacktop,” Gaskins said. “What it does mean is that it is a safer condition for you to be able to drive.”
Crews are now hauling snow from major intersections and crosswalks, widening lanes in constrained areas, retreating priority routes and pedestrian locations, and working on transit access.
The storm, which hit last weekend, was the worst in 30 years, City Manager Jim Parajon told the council Tuesday. More than 7 inches of snow turned to solid ice after hours of freezing rain and sleet, requiring crews to make 20-plus passes on some major roads. The city has hauled more than 500 truckloads of ice out of the city—200 from Old Town and 100 from Del Ray as of Tuesday, with another 200 removed Friday alone.
Schools
Students have not been in school buildings all week. Monday was a scheduled day off and Tuesday through Friday was virtual learning due to the storm—the first time ACPS has had four consecutive virtual days since the pandemic.
Gaskins said the city does not decide when schools reopen—that’s up to the school board and superintendent. But she said the city is sharing daily updates to help facilitate a return to in-person learning.
As of Saturday morning, 99% of sidewalks around schools are clear and school parking lots are more than 80% clear. The city had focused heavily on schools early in the storm but shifted resources to residential streets once ACPS announced it would remain virtual.
ACPS said it will provide an update by 6 p.m. Sunday on Monday’s status.
Sidewalks
Sidewalk fine enforcement remains suspended. The top 311 reports continue to be sidewalks, pedestrian routes, and bus stops. Crews cleared about 119 bus stops on Friday.
Residents who need help clearing sidewalks—or can lend a hand—are encouraged to sign up for the city’s Snow Buddy Program.
Trash and recycling
Saturday trash collection is on schedule. Recycling and yard waste collection are delayed. If your pickup was missed earlier in the week, submit a ticket through Alex311.
Weather
A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m., with another advisory from 10 p.m. tonight through 1 p.m. Sunday. Wind chills as low as 10 below are expected. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur with exposed skin—keep pets indoors and check on older family, friends, and neighbors.
Today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 21 and wind chills as low as zero. Tonight turns blustery with a low around 12, wind chills dipping to -6 and gusts up to 39 mph.
Sunday will be partly sunny but windy, with a high near 26, wind chills as low as -8, and gusts up to 39 mph. Monday looks calmer and warmer, with sunshine and a high near 34.
The National Weather Service says there is a slight winter storm threat late Tuesday night into Wednesday. If it materializes, travel disruptions are possible.
Transit
Metro rail and bus are operating weekend service—check wmata.com/snow for detours before traveling. DASH returned to normal weekday service Thursday with snow detours still in effect. Detours will be lifted line-by-line or system-wide as conditions allow—check dashbus.com/snow before heading out.
Where to warm up
The winter shelter at 2355-A Mill Road is open 24 hours through noon Tuesday, Feb. 3. About 30 people are currently staying there. Call 703-746-6551.
Warming centers are open at five recreation centers: Charles Houston, Chick Armstrong, Mount Vernon, Patrick Henry, and William Ramsay. Four library branches—Beatley Central, Barrett, Burk,e and Duncan—are also available. Libraries open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Infrastructure
The water main break reported on Thursday has been resolved. The city also dealt with several power outages on Friday. The 911 call volume has returned to normal, according to the Mayor.
Around town
Early voting for the Feb. 10 special election begins today at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. The Old Town Farmers’ Market is open as usual at Tavern Square. Del Ray Farmers Market is canceled for the first time in more than 30 years. Today is also the last day for Crooked Beat Records at its Mt. Vernon Avenue location.
The utility resource fair with Virginia American Water, Dominion Energy and AlexRenew runs 10 a.m. to noon at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Hops N Shine is celebrating seven years, the Alexandria Symphony is performing “Symphony in Space” at Schlesinger at 3 p.m., and Lost Boy Cider is hosting a Wassail party at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday brings virtual candidate forums from the League of Women Voters—Senate District 39 at 1:30 p.m. and House District 5 at 2:45 p.m. Restaurant Week has been extended through Feb. 8.
For a full list of weekend events, check out the Weekend Guide.
Solid municipal update especially the nuance around passable versus clear streets. The 20+ passes requirement on some major roads is wild and shows why simply reporting percentages can be misleading without context. Dealing with similar issues in my town after a storm last year and the shift from school routes to residential once virtual learning was announcedmade total sense from a resource allocation standpoint.