Richmond plowing status: Main roads cleared, side roads still in progress

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Two days after one of the biggest December storms in Richmond history, city Public Works crews are making headway. This initial storm of the 2018 season proved to be the most intense during a December month in over 100 years, for Richmond. The River City accumulated 11.5 inches of precipitation, Sunday.

Plows have hit all main roads in the city (Priority 1 and 2 roads), like Broad Street and Grace Street, as of Tuesday evening. Crews are now focusing on side roads, with more than 30 percent already cleared, according to Public Works officials. More than 50 city crews were put in action since before the storm.

The Department of Public Works says it’s difficult for snow plows to clear roads in any neighborhood that relies on street parking. The plows are forced to shove snow at the end of streets or in between parking spaces.

Some people who live in Scott’s Addition say it’s already difficult to park in the neighborhood because it has drawn more than 3,500 new people in the past five years.

"I got up about 4 a.m. this morning” said Daphne Colyer, who lives on the city’s southside.

Colyer carefully made it out of the driveway and over her ice-blanketed block, to get to work for a very early 5:30 a.m. start time.

"Took me about 35 minutes… for a 10 minute drive,” said Colyer.

Besides side roads, sidewalks are a nightmare in some spots, covered in thick ice, or clear black ice.

"We’re going to be very, very careful,” said Tina Davis, who works as a house cleaner in Church Hill.

Davis lugged heavy equipment into a home so she could start work Tuesday morning.

"We’ve got to be very careful going into this gentleman’s house because he hasn’t cleaned the sidewalk off,” said Davis.

Home and business owners must shovel sidewalks and public walkways next to their property, or face a Class 4 misdemeanor ticket, according to Richmond officials.

Cars must also not be double-parked or blocking a roadway, or they could be towed at the owner’s expense.

Richmond crews will continue to work on side roads, and still treat main roads as needed with salt, sand and chemicals.

The city is working to get your input about the parking problem in Scott's Addition, Carytown, The Fan and other neighborhoods.

A series of public meetings is scheduled for mid-January.

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