Forecasters have identified the Northeast as part of a weather pattern where large storms will be occurring in close succession for the foreseeable future.
With yet another winter storm approaching, the City of Cambridge would like to remind residents to be prepared as we work to ensure that roadways and sidewalks are safe and passable.
Citizens can do their part by making their best effort to remove snow from their sidewalks, stocking up on ice melt, taking time to clear hydrants and street drains, and remembering their elderly neighbors or relatives who might need assistance clearing their sidewalk. To learn more about the City’s snow operations and homeowner responsibilities, please visit www.cambridgema.gov/snow.
Declaring a Snow Emergency:
The City makes a determination on whether a snow emergency will be declared and that information is given to TV, radio stations, posted on the web, and on the municipal cable channel (channel 8). That information is also available by calling 617-349-4700. Every effort is made to give residents reasonable notice in these situations.
The City’s E-Line service allows residents to sign up to receive an email notification and/or a text message on your cell phone when a snow emergency is declared. You may sign-up for this service on the City’s web page at http://www2.cambridgema.gov/eline/.
The City of Cambridge has declared a Snow Emergency Parking Ban effective at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 1st. For more information about this ban, visit http://www.cambridgema.gov/alerts/snowemergencydeclaredat8pmtuesdayfeb1.aspx
Parking on City Streets:
When a snow emergency is declared, parking is restricted on certain streets in the City. Vehicles parked on those streets will be tagged and towed. Please visit http://www.cambridgema.gov/pdf/SnowRestrictedStreets2010.pdf for a list of affected streets.
When a snow emergency is declared, all streets signed “No Parking During Snow Emergency” will be tagged and cars will be towed. The City will determine the order in which cars will be towed based on street access needs, especially for emergency vehicles. Please do not park on the streets restricted during a declared snow emergency.
So far this season, fewer cars have been towed as residents have done an excellent job complying with snow emergency parking bans. Please remember to stay off the restricted streets during the entire snow emergency. Ticketing and towing will continue as the Department of Public Works makes every effort to get the snow pushed back. This cannot be done if cars park before the ban is lifted.
The City also asks residents to understand that with the amount of snow already in place, and with the additional amounts forecasted, parking restrictions may be extended in certain areas past a declared snow emergency parking ban. If required, these streets will be posted with temporary signage until further notice as a public safety precaution.
Available Off-Street Parking During Declared Snow Emergencies:
Residents are responsible for moving their cars off the streets signed “No Parking During Snow Emergency” and we understand that finding parking can be difficult. That is why the City has made arrangements with four parking facilities that provide free parking when a declared snow emergency is in effect.
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Galleria Mall. Enter on Cambridgeside place, Between P.F Chang’s and Cheesecake Factory Entrance. Residents of East Cambridge can park for free in the CambridgeSide Galleria Garage when the declared snow emergency is in effect until 2 hours after it is lifted. However, effective immediately for the impending storm, residents may park in the Galleria Garage for free from now until 8:00 AM on Monday, February 7th. Residents with a resident permit can also purchase a monthly pass for the Galleria Garage for the month of February for the reduced price of $50.
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First Street Garage. Enter on Spring Street. Parking is free if you have a Cambridge resident parking permit from the time when the declared snow emergency is in effect until 2 hours after it is lifted. However, effective immediately for the impending storm, residents can park in the First Street Garage for free from now until 8:00 AM on Monday, February 7th. Residents with a resident permit can also purchase a monthly pass for the First Street Garage for the month of February for the reduced price of $50.
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Green Street Garage, Central Square. Parking is free if you have a Cambridge resident parking permit from the time when the declared snow emergency is in effect until 2 hours after it is lifted.
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52 Oxford Garage. This is a Harvard owned and operated garage. When a Snow Emergency is declared it is open to City residents with a resident parking permit on a space available basis for no fee from the time when the declared snow emergency is in effect until one hour after the snow emergency is lifted. Space is limited, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. The University reserves the right to cease admittance due to capacity limitations and operation issues
For more information about how you can prepare for the next storm, view the Winter Storm Safety Checklist from the Red Cross, available at http://www.redcrossstl.org/Portals/0/WinterStorms.pdf.
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