PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — It’s been over a week since the winter storm, and while a lot of snow has been cleared, there’s still more to go.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced a same-day work and pay program to accelerate the snow removal process. According to a press release from the city, it will focus on ADA curb ramps across the city.
The aim is to try to get the city back up and running after the storm was followed by days of frigid, cold temperatures.
For the same-day work and pay program, workers will sign up to do the job and get paid on the same day without waiting weeks for a paycheck.
Mayor Parker says the same-day work and pay program is already working.
“A total of 238 people showed up for work,” she said. “And they cleared over 60 corners in four hours.”
City workers and contractors have been across the city since the January 24 storm, working to clear the snow and ice that was left behind.
And while the streets have been treated, navigating pedestrian access continues to remain a challenge. Those who use wheelchairs have been unable to navigate many city streets.
The Action Cam captured a ramp at 16th and Spring Garden streets, where the snow is roughly two feet high.
“I’m worried about the elderly people and the wheelchairs. It’s hard. Nobody can do nothing,” explained Heaven Reeves of West Philadelphia.
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“This area, I already knew it was going to be clean cause it’s downtown,” said Cydney Cooks of Kensington.
In Center City, on one side of Market Street, you wouldn’t have guessed we just had a major snowstorm. It’s clear. But the other side still has snow mounds and a snowy bike path that bicyclists had to ride on the sidewalk next to it.
“It’s still tough having to navigate your bike without the bike lane,” said Sooyong Kwon of West Philadelphia.
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Bus stops are also still quite messy for commuters.
“The bus stops. I take the bus to school, I’m stepping up six inches, 12 inches of snow, to get to where the bus is,” said Zack Demars of West Philadelphia.
Crews were working to clear sidewalks at the intersection of Belmont and Parkside Tuesday night, but a sidewalk along Vine Street has not seen a shovel.
A couple was using the warmer weather to free their car along Spring Garden Street.
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“I was actually pretty impressed, the roads were cleared in a decent amount of time, and driving around has been pretty good,” noted Steve Amato of Graduate Hospital.
For anyone hoping for “warmer” weather to melt some of the snow, it’s going to be a bit.
“Hopefully can be gone before March, and that groundhog can pop his head back out and say spring is here,” said Reeves.
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