Why has DC failed so badly on clearing the streets?

[Anonymous]

It's like the city is not even trying. I've lived here for 30 years and this is one of the worst displays of government incompetence that I can remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope that everyone who wants DC to be able to handle this like it's no big deal are willing to pay higher taxes to afford that. It really was/is a difficult snow/ice combo and the low temperatures aren't helping.

It's funny that DC has money for special machines that clean bike lanes (which cost $250,000 each) but doesn't have plows to plow neighborhood streets. I'd say the problem here isn't money, it's priorities.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bikedc/comments/1juj9fl/new_bike_lane_sweepers/

Poor drivers. Won't someone finally think of the drivers for once?

Uh, what? You think it's a good thing that the city buys lots of special machines to make sure bike lanes don't get dirty but doesn't have plows to clear neighborhood streets? One of these things affects a couple hundred people in a way that's not terribly consequential and the other affects several hundred thousand people in a way that is extremely consequential.

[Anonymous]

Just one anecdote, but a city truck came by and did a great job clearing up the very low traffic side street by me mid afternoon today. Before that it was barely drivable (steep-ish upward slope, one way).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope that everyone who wants DC to be able to handle this like it's no big deal are willing to pay higher taxes to afford that. It really was/is a difficult snow/ice combo and the low temperatures aren't helping.

I would not be okay with high taxes because they have not plowed my road once in a week. This is incompetence. Get a bobcat to start clearing this snow and ice. It is absolutely ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

1. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice from bus stops?
2. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice on street corners so pedestrians can cross safely?
3. Like a PP mentioned a few posts back, why did the city not go into the neighborhoods with bags of salt instead of asking us to get to their 6 locations?

[Anonymous]

People are hiring private snowplows to clear their streets, and it's absolutely ridiculous that it's come to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are hiring private snowplows to clear their streets, and it's absolutely ridiculous that it's come to this.

Especially more than a WEEK after the storm. It's like DC leadership is just trying to wait us all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve lived here since 1993 and have never seen a storm like this (snow then sleet that quickly compacted into ice, followed by a record-breaking cold snap). I shoveled multiple times on Sunday and the ground was already concrete by early evening. The vast majority of the plows in DC can easily handle snow but not a slab of ice. I’m not sure what all the people whining about this wanted the city to do?

And the whiners — almost all of them very recent transplants — also conveniently neglect to point out that things are just as bad in Virginia, Maryland, Philly, NYC (the crowing by Mamdani fanboys has been overtaken by complaints, and how many homeless there have died because of his new policies) and Boston. They act as if DC alone is struggling.

Please tell us how many people have died in NYC because of Mamadani's "new" policies. Provide exact numbers and sources.

All my friends in NYC have had their kids back in school since Tuesday and no one there is complaining.

I was in nyc for the past week and all its sidewalks and streets have been cleared of snow. PP has no idea what he/she is talking about.

[Anonymous]

Bowser is completely checked out. She is done

[Anonymous]

I went out this morning along 14th St NW and it seems like the number of people parked in the massive snow banks or double parked on front of them are an impediment to coming through with heavy machinery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went out this morning along 14th St NW and it seems like the number of people parked in the massive snow banks or double parked on front of them are an impediment to coming through with heavy machinery.

You're not wrong, but the large snow plows are no longer useful for streets where there are a lot of park cars. That's why they need to get all the smaller bobcats out. Dig out some actual parking spaces and then people will be able to park their cars safely and out of the flow of traffic. It's Sunday. Tomorrow's a workday, yet I have not seen any city action on my state-named Street today or in the alley where our trash is supposed to be collected, despite the mayors proclamations. I've cleared my steps the sidewalk in front of my house, and I've helped out with my neighbors and I've dug out my car which I refuse to move until I know I might have a space when I get back and I don't wanna be a dick and put out cones or chairs to save my spot. Come on, Mayor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went out this morning along 14th St NW and it seems like the number of people parked in the massive snow banks or double parked on front of them are an impediment to coming through with heavy machinery.

You're not wrong, but the large snow plows are no longer useful for streets where there are a lot of park cars. That's why they need to get all the smaller bobcats out. Dig out some actual parking spaces and then people will be able to park their cars safely and out of the flow of traffic. It's Sunday. Tomorrow's a workday, yet I have not seen any city action on my state-named Street today or in the alley where our trash is supposed to be collected, despite the mayors proclamations. I've cleared my steps the sidewalk in front of my house, and I've helped out with my neighbors and I've dug out my car which I refuse to move until I know I might have a space when I get back and I don't wanna be a dick and put out cones or chairs to save my spot. Come on, Mayor!

I've seen a few bobcat crews around with a few pieces of equipment like that. But how do they even work when there are cars parked within/in front of the lanes they need to clear?

Come on people, your yoga class isn't that important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice from bus stops?
2. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice on street corners so pedestrians can cross safely?
3. Like a PP mentioned a few posts back, why did the city not go into the neighborhoods with bags of salt instead of asking us to get to their 6 locations?

Have a little bit of self motivation and go dig out the crosswalk yourself. Nobody can help you if you won’t help yourself. PS salt does nothing for compacted ice and snow. Sand would probably be better for traction if you cannot dig down and remove the ice to the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice from bus stops?
2. Who is responsible for clearing snow/ice on street corners so pedestrians can cross safely?
3. Like a PP mentioned a few posts back, why did the city not go into the neighborhoods with bags of salt instead of asking us to get to their 6 locations?

Have a little bit of self motivation and go dig out the crosswalk yourself. Nobody can help you if you won’t help yourself. PS salt does nothing for compacted ice and snow. Sand would probably be better for traction if you cannot dig down and remove the ice to the sidewalk.

Some salt does actually help loosen this stuff up. When the city plows came through they dropped enough salt/sand that I was able to chip through a walking path to the street.

[Anonymous]

At least the thaw should start tomorrow. My goal for the week is to shovel a path to my car so I don't have to clamber over a mountain of snow every time I want to go to my car.