FABB Blog

 

Two Weeks After Snowstorm Trails and Sidewalks Still Blocked

Snow on sidewalk adjacent to Langston Hughes MS, South Lakes HS and Terraset ES. Photo taken today, 2/8/2016

Even with the mild temperatures of last week the compacted snow and ice piled on area trails and sidewalks is still blocking access in many areas. Today I noticed at least two people walking in the road where snow made walking on the sidewalk or trail impassable. It may be another week or more before it's safe to walk in these areas, and more snow is predicted tomorrow.

According to Chairman Bulova's Facebook page: "Our Board will hold a 'Snowzilla Summit' at our March 1st Board Meeting, and we will invite officials from VDOT and our own County staff. The purpose of the Summit is first to thank them for the good job they did responding to the blizzard of 2016, but also to examine how we want to address some issues that were problematic (such as the need for clearing pedestrian facilities, school bus stops and commuter bus shelters)."

We look forward to the snow summit and are glad that Chairman Bulova identified the need for clearing pedestrian facilities. It will take more than a snow summit to fix the problem. The Board needs to find the resources to ensure people are not forced to walk in the street to access Metro, schools, and other important destinations. We need to identify critical transportation trails that should be cleared. Property owners in these areas need to help. The county can follow the lead of NOVA Parks and Reston Association which have both devoted resources to clearing snow on the W&OD and RA trails. The county needs to work with VDOT to ensure that already cleared trails and sidewalks are not used as snow dumping grounds.

According to the WTOP article about the summit, "Fairfax County residents with feedback or questions they would like addressed at the “snow summit” can email Chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov." If you're concerned about blocked ped and bike access after the latest snow storm, contact Chairman Bulova.

Labels: snow, snow plowing, snow summit

posted by Bruce Wright at 3:00 PM permalink