City Hall Says 80% of Philly Streets Are Now Drivable

But that doesn't mean blacktop is visible on all of them.

Crews remove snow along Broad Street after a winter storm, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Crews remove snow along Broad Street after a winter storm, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Mayor Jim Kenney’s communications office just released a statement about the city’s snow removal efforts, in what is surely (at least in part) an effort to stem the flow of diatribe locals have directed its way since flakes stopped falling over the weekend.

As of Monday evening, the Kenney administration says, ploughs had reached 1,800 miles of road. By noon Tuesday, they had swept through 200 more — rendering a total of 2,000 miles, or 80 percent of Philadelphia’s streets, “passable.” That means the roads “have been plowed so that cars can traverse them, but black top may not yet be visible.” Officials also say 80 percent — or 900 miles — of residential streets throughout the city are currently drivable.

The press release reminds us that Winter Storm Jonas brought the fourth biggest snow buildup in Philly history, and adds that Kenney and other officials say that they’re aiming to render all through streets drivable by the end of Wednesday.

Now that all of the main roads, such as Broad and Chestnut, are “complete” — that means you can see blacktop peeking through the slush — the Kenney administration says the city is turning its focus towards residential streets. Philadelphians living off of lesser-travelled roads in places like Northwest and South Philly will be relieved to hear it — even if they might have preferred to hear it sooner.

The city also offered some dos and don’ts as the cleanup continues:

  • Do call 311 with non-emergency calls related to plowing and salting.
  • Do clear snow and ice from storm drains to give melting snow free passage away from the streets (this one’s particularly important, given the warmer temperatures we’re currently seeing accelerate snow melting and increase chances of flooding).
  • Don’t block snowplows with your car.
  • Don’t toss snow into the street as you shovel your walk.