The Bridgeport Dig–Who Needs Public Works Trucks? Neighbors Helping Neighbors–Plus: Update From Mayor

The Blizzard of 2013 left devastation throughout the city, overwhelmed Public Works crews, imprisoned residents in their own homes with drifts of snow four and five feet and higher. Mayor Bill Finch called in the National Guard for help, hired private contractors from outside Connecticut, issued a travel ban, urged citizen cooperation and patience for a cleanup that will take all week. City Hall closed Monday and Tuesday. Schools closed until further notice. Many drivers were forced to abandon their cars in the blizzard. Dude, where’s my car! Meanwhile residents waited and waited for the tardy plows. Lots of residents said hey, we don’t have time for this, gotta get to work, gotta get to the store, gotta get on with life. So they did the only sensible thing under the circumstances–they started the Bridgeport Dig.

And the cleanup continues and continues and continues.

Monday evening update from Mayor Finch:

As the City digs out of a record breaking amount of snow, Mayor Bill Finch announced that previously requested reinforcements are arriving in the form of 12 payloaders from out-of-state private contractors are arriving.

These additional payloaders contribute to the City’s force of seven payloaders along with 11 payloaders from local outside contractors who have been working since immediately after the storm ended. With these additions, the City has more than quadrupled its number of payloaders since the start of the storm. Throughout the storm, the City has had as many vehicles out working to clear streets as possible. People’s Bank, PSE&G also contributed assets to aid in snow removal.

The Mayor continues to thank residents for their patience throughout this historic blizzard.

“We have reached out to the State of Connecticut and out-of-state contractors to obtain the equipment and manpower necessary to keep our streets clear and we are thankful for their response,” said Mayor Finch.

On Monday afternoon, Governor Dannel P. Malloy visited the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center to address the media regarding snow storm recovery efforts.

“The last time we had this much snow was never,” said Gov. Malloy during a press conference. The Governor also noted that urban areas like Bridgeport have a higher concentration of cars on the road, making the snow removal process more challenging than their suburban counterparts.

The City has requested additional resources from the State, including 25 more payloaders with operators, 12 tri-axle trucks and five snow melting machines, following President Obama’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Sunday morning.

Crews continue to focus on maintaining snow emergency streets to ensure that these critical roads remain passable for emergency vehicles. Currently, snow has been removed from nearly 100 roads, making these streets passable for emergency and four-wheel drive vehicles. A list of passable streets can be found online bridgeportct.gov/content/87201/137292.aspx.

As the week progresses the City expects to be in a position, unless there is more snowfall, to be focused solely on snow removal efforts.

Tow trucks from throughout the city have been working aggressively with the Bridgeport Police Department and the National Guard to clear roads of abandoned cars to aid the plowing efforts. Abandoned cars have been towed to Central High School.

A local travel ban remains in effect, and Mayor Bill Finch urged residents to observe the ban so that plow crews can continue operations.

“It is so important to stay off the roads for the next 24 hours. Plow trucks and payloaders are encountering abandoned cars blocking their path across the city and the work grinds to a halt,” Mayor Finch said. “We have plow crews working in every section of the City to clear our streets. This is an historic storm and the recovery effort is going to take some time. Every car out on the road slows our snow removal efforts.”

The National Guard has been deployed to the City since Saturday and is assisting the police and fire departments with several high-wheel, 6X6 trucks to help answer emergency calls for service throughout the City.

City schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. All Board of Education equipment that would be used to clear school property has been shifted to street clearing.

“We are asking everyone to have patience and to stay inside and off the roads until snow plows can make their way down City streets,” said Mayor Finch.

Following the rainy conditions on Monday, the City asks residents to help clear the inlets and catch basins near your house or business. Keeping catch basins clear of snow and ice will reduce the possibility of street flooding during heavy rains or snow melting periods.

Following snow storms residents and businesses with flat roofs are particularly vulnerable. As the snow on most roofs has frozen, removing any new snow and its additional weight will be very important. If not cleared off, snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing any rain, adding additional stress to structures.

From the Department of Public Works:

· Residents are reminded to not shovel or blow snow from the sidewalk or driveway on to the street.

· Trash and recycling pickup is suspended until further notice. The City’s Transfer Station is closed until further notice.

City Government Notices:

· City Hall and Margaret E. Morton Government Center will be closed on Tuesday. The City of Bridgeport Health Department will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Only employees who are essential to storm cleanup and public safety are to report to work.

· The regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council’s Contracts Committee to be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Important Information for Residents:

• In case of a power outage, the Fire Department reminds residents to use flashlights, not candles.

• Call 911 for emergencies only.

• Report all non-emergency storm-related issues to the City’s Emergency Operations Center at 203.576.1311. Call takers are fielding a high volume of calls, please leave a message with your name, address and phone number should it go to voicemail.

• The Department of Public Works reminds all residents and business owners to shovel the sidewalk and walkways in front of their home or business, including curb cuts, for pedestrian safety. If sidewalks are not cleared, the City may clean the sidewalk and charge the owner a fee for doing so, as well as impose a $100 per day fine for violating a City ordinance.

• Residents and business owners are also asked to clear fire hydrants and the immediate area around it of snow to improve neighborhood safety.