Second Snow Storm Hits Alexandria: Cancellations, Snow Removal Policy

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A second snow storm this week resulted in closures and snow removal around the City of Alexandria Friday.

City of Alexandria government opened at 10 a.m. Friday, and courts are closed. Alexandria Library locations will open at 10 a.m., but the Alexandria Law Library is closed. Alexandria City Public Schools is closed Friday.

As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, DASH buses are returning to regular schedules with no snow detours. Small delays may be possible due to road conditions.

The city's Winter Shelter at 2355-A Mill Rd. is open 24 hours through Monday, Jan. 22 for those in need of a warm shelter. To contact the shelter, call 571-652-9984.

The Department of Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Activities' recreation centers will also serve as warming centers during their regular hours. Hours may be extended if needed.

City of Alexandria crews clear snow from all public streets. Primary routes, including snow emergency routes, are cleared first, followed by secondary streets, intermediate streets and residential streets.

Residents can see the status of snow removal at apps.alexandriava.gov/SnowReport.

Snow emergency routes include:

• King Street from Union Street to the western city limit
• Washington Street from City limit to City limit
• Duke Street from Washington Street to the western City limit
• U.S. Route No. 1 from City limit to City limit
• Braddock Road from North West Street to Beauregard Street
• Howard Street from Braddock Road to Jordan Street
• Jordan Street from Duke Street to Howard Street
• Eisenhower Avenue from Holland Lane to Van Dorn Street

Primary routes are considered major routes through the city. Secondary routes can include local and neighborhood streets and most Metro and DASH bus routes. Intermediate streets are those requiring extra attention in winter weather, such as streets with hills. The last priority is other residential streets near homes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation clears many other public streets in the region, including interstates. See real-time snow removal information at vdotplows.org.

Property owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks, driveways and entrances. Snow and ice must be cleared from all paved sidewalks on the property within a certain amount of time under the city code. A violation could result in a $50 fine. If a Level 1 storm is declared (8 inches of snow or less), property owners have 24 hours to clear snow after the snow stops. Violations can be reported to Alexandria's 311 or 703-746-4311.

The city recommends the following tips to residents for snow removal:

• Keep an adequate supply of shovels, salt or sand for your sidewalks and driveways.
• If you leave the city during winter, have a plan to ensure that your sidewalks will be cleared to avoid fines and snow removal fees.
• Clear ice, snow, and leaves from around fire hydrants and storm drains.
• Do not shovel snow from your property onto the sidewalk or street.
• Park your car off the street wherever possible.
• Check on neighbors needing assistance.
• Volunteer to be a Snow Buddy, a Volunteer Alexandria program which provides snow removal and sidewalk treatment to low-income seniors or homebound or disabled residents who are physically unable to do it themselves, cannot afford to pay for this service, and/or do not have neighbors, family, or friends to help them.