SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There are a lot of massive piles of snow and ice that still need to be moved in South Philadelphia, and parking restrictions are in place on a stretch of Broad Street today as the city continues its massive removal process.
The restrictions went into effect at 7 a.m. between Washington and Oregon Avenues. The Philadelphia Parking Authority also resumed its parking enforcement of meters and time zones at 8 a.m. Before, PPA was only enforcing on-street violations.
The main focus of the removal efforts will be on the massive blocks of snow that are now frozen on street corners and along the side of the road — presenting plenty of frustration for nearby residents. City workers and contractors are using heavy equipment like loaders and excavators to break the blocks down and move them.
Carlton Williams, the city’s director of Clean and Green Initiatives, said the piles present the biggest hazards to cars and pedestrians.
“You’ll see piles around the streets start to disappear, not only down here in center city, but in local neighborhoods,” he said.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said there would be “300 ambassadors” also out in the neighborhood with shovels helping the effort.
“Helping us to clear streets and break up that ice that literally has to be done manually, particularly at the crosswalks,” she said.
The city said those who need to move their car from Broad Street can park them in Lot U at Citizens Bank Park until 6 p.m. tonight.
Parker said at least 85% of city streets have been plowed at least once since the snowstorm back on Jan. 25, and city crews have melted some 5 million pounds of snow.