Phew! Finch Lifts Travel Ban, Schools Closed Thursday And Friday

Mayor Bill Finch announced the lifting of the city-wide travel ban as of 3 p.m. today (Wednesday). Update from Finch:

City crews working in tandem with private contractors have opened 60-percent of City streets as of 12 noon Wednesday, nearly doubling the number of streets made passable during the past 24 hours.

“Our crews, with the assistance of private contractors, made incredible progress overnight and into the morning, doubling the number of streets open to traffic,” said Mayor Finch. “The plow drivers and heavy equipment operators are working very hard to get all of our streets open and passable so our residents can get to work and get back to normal. I want to thank the residents of Bridgeport for their patience and understanding during this time.”

The City received more assistance Tuesday with payloaders and other heavy equipment coming to the City from as far away as Buffalo, N.Y., and neighboring Danbury, Wilton and Greenwich. Approximately 100 vehicles including payloaders, tri-axles and dump trucks are working to clear snow from City streets.

The National Guard has been deployed to the City since Saturday, and currently has 2 groups assisting the police and fire departments with an assortment of Humvees and 6X6 high-wheel vehicles and on police and fire emergency calls.

“This has been an historic snowstorm–the most snow the City has received in a 24-hour period. We are working diligently to clean the streets, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation,” said Mayor Finch.

Storm cleanup information:

All city schools will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 14 and Friday, February 15.

The public is urged to stay off the roads as much as possible while cleanup crews are clearing City streets.

Garbage and recycling pickups are suspended until further notice. The Transfer Station also is closed until further notice.

A list of passable streets can be found online (bridgeportct.gov/content/87201/137292.aspx.

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.

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 snowstorms 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.

Information regarding Storm Nemo cleanup efforts is available on the City’s website at www.bridgeportct.gov/bptsnow.

From the Department of Public Works:

• Residents are reminded to not shovel or blow snow from the sidewalk or driveway onto the street.

• 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.

Important Information for Residents:

• Call 911 for emergencies only.

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

• 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.

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