Friday, February 26, 2016

Sidewalks Still Blocked After A Month

The Blizzard of 2016 struck Montgomery County, Maryland, on January 23.  On February 26, the snow had long since melted almost everywhere.  Except for where snowplows clearing roads had piled it high on the sidewalks and corner curb ramps.  After more than a month, there are still places where pedestrians find sidewalks blocked.




On Old Georgetown Road, snow piled on the sidewalk after the January 23 storm still forms a barrier on February 26.





On Montgomery Avenue, snow piled at the corner after the January 23 storm still blocks a curb ramp on February 26.

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For those who missed it, here is my report on snow blocking sidewalks on February 7, two weeks after the blizzard:



When the sidewalks and curb ramps are the official snow storage areas for snowplows, you have a system designed to fail.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your vigilance and tireless advocacy, Jon. I live in this neighborhood and I have elderly neighbors and a neighbor in a wheelchair! These are real, daily struggles for them. Hope the people in,charge see this post. More snow might arrive in March.

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  2. It does seem outrageous that facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists should be ignored and remain impassable weeks after the snow event. Are these sidewalks the responsibility of the county government or individual homeowners?

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    Replies
    1. The County Government might blame the adjacent property owners. But when you dump an 8-foot pile of snow and ice at the corner, is it reasonable to expect someone else to clean up your mess for you?

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