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Philly declares snow emergency; Parking Authority offers special $5 garage rate

The snow emergency took effect at 9 p.m. Sunday. Vehicles and dumpsters not moved from snow emergency routes may be towed and ticketed. Time violations on residential blocks waived during emergency.

PennDot trucks load up on salt at their facility on Hunting Park Avenue near Wissahickon one year ago. They are again dealing with snowy conditions on Philadelphia area roads and restricting speed limits on several highways.
PennDot trucks load up on salt at their facility on Hunting Park Avenue near Wissahickon one year ago. They are again dealing with snowy conditions on Philadelphia area roads and restricting speed limits on several highways.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
    by Diane Mastrull
    Updated 
    Published 

Philadelphia has declared a snow emergency, offering a special 24-hour garage parking rate to help clear streets of cars.

And with snow and falling temperatures making travel conditions more hazardous, PennDot has reduced speed limits on several roads in the Philadelphia region.

Among the roads where speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph are Interstates 76, 476, 676 and 295, PennDot announced shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. That speed limit also will apply to U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202 and 422, and state Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309.

“Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe,” PennDot said.

Philadelphia’s snow emergency takes effect 9 p.m. Sunday, meaning all vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes.

“While the total snowfall amount is not yet confirmed, it is necessary for our Streets Department and all other City departments to be able to be ready to operate at snow emergency level,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement issued just after 6 p.m. and the conclusion of the Eagles playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field against the Los Angeles Rams.

The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly said 3 to 6 inches of snow was expected for the I-95 corridor by the time the storm ends, with 6 to 8 inches forecast north and west of Philadelphia. Less than 3 inches was expected in South Jersey.

Philadelphia has 110 miles of snow emergency routes, marked with large red signs that read “Snow Emergency Route” in white letters. Vehicles or dumpsters not moved from such routes could be towed and their owners ticketed, the city said. More information on the city’s snow emergency routes regulations can be found here.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, the Philadelphia Parking Authority began offering a flat 24-hour $5 parking rate at the following Center City garages:

  1. AutoPark at Independence Mall, Fifth and Market Streets

  2. AutoPark at Jefferson, 10th and Ludlow Streets

  3. AutoPark at the Fashion District, 10th and Filbert Streets

  4. AutoPark at Old City, Second and Sansom Streets

  5. Parkade on 8th, 801 Filbert St.

  6. Philadelphia Family Court Garage, 1503-11 Arch St.

To receive the discounted rate, customers must bring their ticket and pay at the PPA Management Office in each garage.

Also beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, time violations on residential blocks will not be enforced until the snow emergency is lifted.

For updates on PennDot speed restrictions, go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app.