Providence parking ban at midnight; no school tomorrow

Snow from yesterday’s storm this morning on Broadway

Here we go again. From the City:

Providence Public Schools Closed Tomorrow, Feb. 5

Parking Ban Begins at Midnight Tonight – Don’t ‘Block the Box’

PROVIDENCE, RI – In preparation for a winter snow storm forecast to bring treacherous driving conditions and leave several inches of heavy, wet snow in Providence, Providence Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5, 2014.

The City of Providence has declared a citywide parking ban beginning at midnight tonight. The parking ban will remain in effect until further notice.

The State of the City Address that had been planned for tomorrow evening will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 5PM in the City Council Chambers at Providence City Hall.

Snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours tomorrow and continue throughout the day before turning to sleet and freezing rain. Residents are advised that freezing temperatures forecast for tomorrow night will likely cause untreated walkways to become icy. Residents are asked to take caution while clearing snow from sidewalks as soon as possible to prevent icy conditions.

The Department of Public Works has prepared all equipment and personnel to respond to the storm. The City’s Emergency Operations Center will be partially activated with Providence Emergency Management staff.

Residents can stay up to date on the latest storm developments from the City by using the filter #PVDsnow on Twitter and following the accounts of Mayor Taveras and PEMA.

CANCELATIONS

Providence Public Schools will be closed and all after-school activities are canceled for tomorrow, February 5. After-school activities for this afternoon have not been canceled.

The State of the City Address that had been planned for tomorrow evening will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 5PM in the City Council Chambers at Providence City Hall.

All Providence recreation centers are closed tomorrow.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo, Museum of Natural History and Botanical Center will be closed tomorrow.

The Providence Rink at the Bank of America City Center will be closed in the morning and early afternoon tomorrow but will reopen at 6pm.

DON’T BLOCK THE BOX

To prevent traffic congestion, motorists on the roads during tomorrow’s snowstorm are urged not to ‘block the box.’ Even if the light turns green, do not enter an intersection unless you are confident you will be able to travel through it before the light turns red again.

Per state law, drivers of motor vehicles shall not enter an intersection whether or not any traffic signal is green unless there is sufficient space in the roadway to move completely through the intersection. Violators are subject to fines.

PARKING BAN

A citywide parking ban will be in effect from midnight tonight until further notice. Cars in violation of the citywide parking ban will be ticketed and towed to ensure that roadways can be plowed. Cars parked in school parking lots overnight will also be ticketed and towed.

OVERNIGHT PARKING

Residents with overnight parking permits and all residents are reminded that they are responsible for removing their cars from the street during a parking ban. Vehicles parked on the street in violation of the citywide parking ban will be ticketed and towed to ensure that roadways can be plowed.

TRASH REMOVAL

Due to the impending snowstorm, garbage and recycling will not take place on Wednesday, February 5, 2014.

The garbage and recycling collection schedule has been revised for this week based on the impending storm. All pickups for the rest of the week will be as follows:

• Wednesday pickup will be Thursday, February 6
• Thursday pickup will be Friday, February 7
• Friday pickup will be Saturday, February 8

The regular trash pickup schedule will resume on Monday, February 10, 2014.

CITY OFFICES

City Hall will remain open on Wednesday, February 5. Providence Public Schools’ Central Office will be closed tomorrow.

SNOW REMOVAL

Property owners are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, catch basins, fire hydrants and pedestrian ramps adjacent to their property within 8 hours after snow stops falling. Residents are advised to take care to shovel before temperatures drop below freezing tomorrow night, causing snow left on walkways to freeze.

DRIVING CONDITIONS

Current weather reports indicate that this winter storm is likely to present hazardous driving conditions, particularly during the morning commute tomorrow. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to exercise extreme caution and to stay off roadways whenever possible during the storm.

For more information about snow removal in Providence, visit http://providenceri.com/snowready.