Mayor Declares Snow Emergency

From Mayor Finch:

Snow Emergency Declared for Saturday’s Winter Storm, Alternate Side of the Street Parking in Effect

Mayor Bill Finch has declared a snow emergency that will be in effect citywide beginning 10 p.m., Friday, January 20 through Sunday, Jan. 22 at 10 p.m.

During the snow emergency all city residents should heed alternate side of the street parking rules. Residents should move their cars to the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days, and on the even-numbered side of the street on even days.

For example, by 12:30 a.m., on Sat. January 21, cars should be parked on the odd-numbered side of the street. By 12:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, residents should park their cars to the even-numbered side of the street.

Parking is not permitted on any designated snow emergency street. For safety purposes, residents and business owners are asked to comply with the ban so that snowplows can efficiently clear the streets.

Due to the storm, the City’s Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 21 and will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, Jan. 23.

Mayor Bill Finch urges city residents to heed all emergency warnings and to drive safely during the storm, which is expected to drop from 3 to 5 inches of snow in the area.

“I urge everyone to stay off the streets as much as possible to allow our plow crews to do their work, and to follow our alternate side of the street parking rules,” Mayor Finch said. Storm updates will be posted on the City of Bridgeport Twitter account and Facebook page, as well as local newspaper and television stations.

The Department of Public Works is responsible for clearing snow and ice on more than 276 miles of City-maintained roads in Bridgeport. City crews pre-treat, salt and plow roads in the following order of priority:

• Major arterial streets, bus routes, bus stops, and roads that provide access to fire stations and hospitals

• Collector streets and routes leading to schools

• Once major arterial and collector streets have stabilized, then crews will clear local streets.

The Department of Public Works reminds all residents and business owners to shovel the sidewalk and walkways, including curb cuts, for pedestrian safety. Please do not shovel snow back into the street from your driveway or sidewalk. Anyone found throwing snow back into the street will be subject to a fine.

Important safety numbers to remember:

• Call 911 for immediate life-threatening emergencies.

• Call 203.576.7751 or 203.576.7124 for snow removal concerns.