The City's Public Works Department will clear City streets and sidewalks as soon as possible. The department's goal is to chemically treat all major arteries within three hours of when snow begins, to keep main arteries plowed during all stages of a storm, and to clear all streets and the sidewalks bordering City property once a storm has stopped. Public Works clears over 23 miles of sidewalk areas including those around schools, public buildings, parks and high volume bus stops. Priority areas to be cleared are those areas surrounding City buildings, major squares throughout the City, and sidewalks and pathways surrounding City parks.

When possible, Public Works crews will work to widen streets, increase sight lines at corners, and improve access for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Please remember to share the roadway, go slow, and use extra caution to be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Objects left in on-street parking spaces may be removed when crews are available after a snow event or when a snow emergency has been lifted as it is illegal to ‘reserve’ cleared parking spaces.

What can you do to help?

Please clear snow to curb so that collection crews can access your trash barrels and recycling toters and they are not behind snow banks. Please also help make streets and sidewalks accessible for all pedestrians during winter by removing snow and ice and reporting unshoveled or icy sidewalks. If you are able, please do your part to shovel out fire hydrants and clear catch basins of snow and debris. Together, we can keep Cambridge a safe and walkable city all year long.