Massachusetts’ Department of Transportation has lowered segments of the Mass Pike’s speed limit to 40 miles per hour to account for snow and slick roads. With a little less than 1 inch of snow in Worcester, city operators pre-treated the roads before the snow began to fall, mitigating the risk of driving through the city. In addition to pre-treating the roads, Worcester officials declared a parking ban that will go into effect at 8 p.m. on Sunday. City officials have made municipal parking garages free to the public to park in until the parking ban has been lifted.
"I belong in Miami on the beach, so I'm just dreaming I'm there because the snow is not fun."
The first snowfall is here, and the state of Massachusetts has their work cut out for them.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials said Sunday that at least 500 pieces of equipment were out on state roads to combat dangerous driving conditions from this season's first snowfall. And with a number of accidents already reported in the state, officials have even lowered segments of the Mass Pike's speed limit to 40 mph.
But preparing for this year's first winter storm wasn't just left to the state. Many municipalities across the state of Massachusetts have taken action to mitigate the risk of poor conditions outside.
Officials in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sunday afternoon announced a winter parking ban that will go into effect at 8 p.m. Sunday evening.
The announcement comes in preparation of expected snowfall in the region, Worcester anticipating an accumulation of 2 to 2.5 inches. As of 6 p.m., close to an 1 inch of snow has already landed in there.
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City officials said Worcester's Department of Public Works & Parks plan on pre-treating city roads, as well as anticipated snow plowing.
City officials also said parking in Worcester's municipal garages will be free after 6 p.m., and will remain free until the winter parking ban is lifted.
Worcester residents have also been asked to remove snow from around fire hydrants in their neighborhoods, along with residents' obligation to shovel sidewalks close to their property within 10 hours of the winter storm's end.
Despite pre-treating roads and persistent salting of streets, Worcester Police say at least 78 accidents involving the storm have taken place Sunday evening, with many drivers commenting on slick road conditions.
"The roads could be better," said Sheena Agyemang. "They are pretty bad, especially when you are going down those side roads that no one has driven by yet, it’s awful."
Video taken in Worcester tonight even showed a tow truck getting stuck on the Worcester Hills. The tow truck's saving grace? A pickup truck nearby willing to help.
