Some say they haven’t seen a plow on their streets at all.
WASHINGTON — Three days after a major snow and ice storm hit the District, many main roads are clear, but some residential streets remain icy and impassable, leaving residents frustrated and still stuck at home.
City officials say crews are working around the clock to clear streets, but frigid temperatures and lingering ice are slowing progress.
In Anacostia, resident Terrance spent Wednesday morning trying to free his car.
“I still can’t go nowhere,” he said.
Terrance said his street was a sheet of ice and that he has not seen a plow since Sunday evening. Still, he said neighbors are working together to manage the conditions.
“It’s been really difficult but we come together as neighbors and we work it out,” he said.
He added that he understands the challenges crews are facing following sleet and ice that fell on top of the snow.
“We didn’t expect the sleet and ice on top of the snow so I understand the crews have been working very hard. It’s just unfortunate,” he said.
In Chevy Chase, resident Renee Jespersen said her street remains difficult to navigate.
“It is a little disappointing but it’s okay,” Jespersen said.
“It doesn’t look like it’s been plowed because it hasn’t been plowed at all,” she added.
The District Department of Transportation says it is working closely with the Department of Public Works to clear all roads but is asking residents to remain patient.
“People need to manage expectations and be patient,” said Sharon Kershbaum, director of DDOT.
Kershbaum said the city’s goal is to make all roads passable within the next 24 hours. After that, crews will shift their focus to hauling away snow and ice from curbs to improve sidewalk safety.
“We have a lot of things that are making this really hard but we know where those streets are we are focused on it. It’s just taking a long time,” Kershbaum said.
According to DPW, crews have moved so much snow to the RFK Stadium site that it now forms a mound equivalent to two football fields. Officials say extreme cold temperatures are making ice difficult to break and limiting how effective plows can be overnight.
“We have been sending plows through and I know sometimes at night the plow gets there and it’s a sheet of ice and it can’t do any moving,” Kershbaum said.
Residents can report streets that have not yet been cleared by calling 3-1-1. The city is also asking for more Snow Hero volunteers to help shovel sidewalks and neighborhood streets